AIR spotlight summary on Intelligence sharing for internal security
Introduction
- Any fight against terrorism, insurgency and internal security would be incomplete without a strong and a robust intelligence network, feedback or its analysis. Prime Minister speaking at 11th meeting of Inter–State Council pointed out about internal security.
- There is a need to improve intelligence, improve the system of information exchange between different stake holders and states should remain alert and updated.
- The present scenario of the country is that the threat from outside is not only along borders but anywhere in the country. All the states have to remain alert and they have to coordinate and share the intelligence gathered. In the same manner centre should also share the intelligence with the sates.
- It is the coordination between all the agencies which are working with in the country and those gathering information outside the country. Having coordination with peace loving countries is very important.
- In India there is a thin line between external security threat and internal security threat. We live with an aggressive neighbourhood. Pakistan which is a nursery of terrorism is waging proxy war on India over the decades.
- National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) was created in 2012 and due to some circumstances it slowed down. The present government is reviving it to give it a practical shape. This is known to be a robust intelligence gathering mechanism.
- All the intelligence agencies in the country sit together, coordinate and analyse all the intelligence information available and analyse the real threat and pass on to agencies which are required to take counter action.
- The passing of information is very quick and if this carries on in a positive manner, this will benefit all the security forces and the people working on ground.
Centre and State coordination
- Centre is operating internal security through its Armed forces, Para military forces and intelligence agencies. Apart from the union government, the states cannot ignore the developments taking place inside the country and even globally.
- Terrorism has become a global phenomenon now. The developments taking place in any part of the world may have the ramifications on our internal security.
- There is a need to keep politics aside while discussing issues like National security, NATGRID, and upgrading Armed forces. Having national consensus on security related issues is very important.
Importance of technology in Intelligence gathering
- Human intelligence is different from technology intelligence. Human Intelligence may not include featureistic intelligence. Where as in technology intelligence the access to information is fast and easy. While tracking a suspicious movement, this technology plays an important role like tracking through satellites.
- With the coordination of Technology intelligence and human intelligence we can get real time information which is required for action against the terrorist threat or any other threat to the country.
- NATGRID is also going to be an ambitious counter terrorism programme. No counter terrorism programme in the world would be complete without use of the latest technology. It is believed that latest technology would be available to NATGRID and these should be available to other arms of intelligence gathering systems also.
Coastal Security
- India’s very long coast line makes the coastal security a significant importance. We have a National Maritime Awareness Grid which coordinates with coastal guard, the coastal police and with the Navy. There are two different ministries – Ministry of shipping and Ministry of fishing who are also involved.
- The terrorist infiltration through coastal areas is increasing as seen in Mumbai and Gujarat. Coastal areas cannot be ignored. There is already a great surveillance in the land borders of the frontiers. Government has laid a great importance on coastal security.
- Earlier coastal borders were considered safer than land borders with countries like Pakistan and China. Now there is a great emphasis on coastal security.
Importance of Rapid Response capabilities
- In today’s world an important element while fighting against terrorism is the time frame. We need to strengthen the Rapid Response capabilities.
- In case the information is delivered late and the terrorist activity has already taken place, this would cause a major damage to the nation. This was happening previously when the technology intelligence was not available. Now with the latest technology available we are preventing these activities.
- There is a need to go ahead and anticipate in case there is any security threat to our country. This can happen only when the information is available with the security agencies much in time.
Cyber Crime
- The technology is not available only with security agencies, but also with terrorist organisations. This brings in the importance of cyber crime.
- Cyber crime has two aspects. Cyber crime is not only related to local crime, but the terrorist network all over the world is increasingly using cyber technology.
- Cyber space and social media is the fastest means available with the terrorists. They can brain wash the youth through their network. This is used by ISIS and it played a big role in motivating youth in Australia, Europe and Kashmir.
- There is a need to protect critical network infrastructure of Banks and Government Agencies. People are being trained to counter cyber attack.
- There are many initiatives taken by the centre like modernising the police forces to update the intelligence network.
- In 2014 there was 136% increase in cyber crime threats and attacks against Government of India organisations. 126% increase in cyber attacks in financial services organisations. We have seen Chinese hacking our Armed forces website and Pakistan hacking our security forces website,
- This shows the challenge cyber crime poses. National Cyber Security Policy is been strengthened. Steps are taken to plug the loopholes.
Conclusion
No internal security network would be strengthened unless centre and state focus on intelligence gathering and sharing. A coordinated plan of intelligence gathering and dissemination should come into place immediately without any delay so that we can tackle the present challenges effectively.
