Kalam for National citizens card for ensuring info security

Expressing concern over the threat of electronic attacks on India's information technology systems through hacking and other methods, Presidential nominee A P J Abdul Kalam today suggested introduction of a multi-purpose 'national citizen card' in the country as a means to information security.

"Our communication network and information generators have to be protected from the electronic attacks through surveillance, monitoring and building technologies to handle such attacks," he said while addressing a Nasscom seminar on Information Security here.

He said, the national citizen/smart card needs an integrated approach from multiple departments and industry (rpt industry) and can be used as a voter ID card, to operate bank account, besides as a ration card and with many other applications.
It was essential for India to become a knowledge power within a decade, he said, adding, it should be achieved through societal tranformation and wealth generation.

"The hard earned wealth and the transformed society, which are the two pillars on which the knowledge society is supported have to be protected in order to sustain a knowlege society," the Presidential nominee said.

He said for strengthening information security there should be a focussed approach to Intellectual Property Rights and major private sector initiatives have to be taken in this regard for ensuring a fool-proof system.

New Delhi, June 25, 2002 (PTI)