By Chandeepa Wettasinghe
The Information Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) will be setting up a National Security Operations Centre to increase the country’s defenses against cyber warfare.

“We had the last inter-ministerial committee sitting on October when it approved of setting up the National Security Operations Centre which will incorporate the framework for day-to-day cyber security for all of us and businesses,” ICTA Managing Director/CEO Muhunthan Canagey said.

This is coming in the wake of Air Force Commander Air Vice Marshal Gagan Bulathsinhala saying that the country’s wars will be fought on the cyber front in the future.

Sri Lanka’s Computer Emergency Readiness Team Co-ordination Centre (CERT|CC) CEO Lal Dias had also warned of such a development in the past.
Cyber attacks typically take place against targets of economic or military significance, and Sri Lanka will fall under the spotlight as its economy continues to develop in the future.

Cyber attack victims and instigators have been observed to increase rapidly in China, India and South East Asia, rivalling the battlegrounds in the US and Europe.

“We need cyber security decisions being taken now at higher levels—at ministerial levels and board rooms—instead of at the administrative levels for technical operations,” Canagey said.

He said that there needs to be a more broader and inclusive approach on cyber security in governmental, organizational and individual levels as well.

However, he commended the current government for increasing attention and budgetary allocations for cyber security this year.

“We need to create an awareness of cyber security threats, and be proactive instead of being just reactive,” he added.