Panel Discussion: Digital Threats to Elections: Is India Preparing for a Cyberwar With Active Defense?

Concerns are growing about the threat of foreign interference in India's upcoming elections, especially in light of interference in U.S. elections. The evolution of cyber espionage is putting the entire electoral process in jeopardy. Some fear that data could be stolen, information leaked and systems brought to a standstill. Recent attacks against Indian government websites and other critical infrastructure raise questions about whether the election will, indeed, be secure. Although the election commission of India has appointed a CISO and put a cybersecurity structure in place to protect election data and processes, the cyberwar can be fought only with active defense techniques.

The government has announced plans to create a new tri-service agency for cyberwarfare. The new defense cyber agency will work in coordination with the national cybersecurity adviser along with experts in the Army, Navy and Air Force. But will this effort yield the active defense that India needs?

This panel discusses:

• The role of technology, including artificial intelligence in defining the defense strategy;
• How to protect electoral process and assets from attacks;
• Safeguarding critical infrastructure against unknown threats.