The Information Technology Act, 2000 defines Critical Information Infrastructure as “… those computer resource, the incapacitation or destruction of which, shall have debilitating impact on national security, economy, public health or safety". NCIIPC has broadly identified the following as ‘Critical Sectors’ :-
Power & Energy
Banking, Financial Services & Insurance
Telecom
Transport
Government
Strategic & Public Enterprises
Information Security Practices and Procedures for Protected System Rules, 2018
Vision
"To facilitate safe, secure and resilient Information Infrastructure for Critical Sectors of the Nation."
Mission
"To take all necessary measures to facilitate protection of Critical Information Infrastructure, from unauthorized access, modification, use, disclosure, disruption, incapacitation or distraction through coherent coordination, synergy and raising information security awareness among all stakeholders. "
Protect and deliver advice that aims to reduce the vulnerabilities of critical information infrastructure, against cyber terrorism, cyber warfare and other threats.
Identification of all critical information infrastructure elements for approval by the appropriate Government for notifying the same.
Provide strategic leadership and coherence across Government to respond to cyber security threats against the identified critical information infrastructure.
Coordinate, share, monitor, collect, analyze and forecast, national level threat to CII for policy guidance, expertise sharing and situational awareness for early warning or alerts. The basic responsibility for protecting CII system shall lie with the agency running that CII.
Assisting in the development of appropriate plans, adoption of standards, sharing of best practices and refinement of procurement processes in respect of protection of Critical Information Infrastructure.
Evolving protection strategies, policies, vulnerability assessment and auditing methodologies and plans for their dissemination and implementation for protection of Critical Information Infrastructure.
Undertaking research and development and allied activities, providing funding for creating, collaborating and development of innovative future technology for developing and enabling the growth of skills, working closely with wider public sector industries, academia et al. and with international partners for protection of Critical Information Infrastructure.
Developing or organising training and awareness programs as also nurturing and development of audit and certification agencies for protection of Critical Information Infrastructure.
Developing and executing national and international cooperation strategies for protection of Critical Information Infrastructure.
Issuing guidelines, advisories and vulnerability or audit notes etc. relating to protection of critical information infrastructure and practices, procedures, prevention and response in consultation with the stake holders, in close coordination with Indian Computer Emergency Response Team and other organisations working in the field or related fields.
Exchanging cyber incidents and other information relating to attacks and vulnerabilities with Indian Computer Emergency Response Team and other concerned organisations in the field.
In the event of any threat to critical information infrastructure the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre may call for information and give directions to the critical sectors or persons serving or having a critical impact on Critical Information Infrastructure.
Operations
NCIIPC maintains a 24x7 Help Desk to facilitate reporting of incidents. Toll Free No. 1800-11-4430.
Issues advisories or alerts and provide guidance and expertise-sharing in addressing the threats/vulnerabilities for protection of CII.
In the event of a likely/actual national-level threat, it plays a pivotal role to coordinate the response of the various CII stake-holders in close cooperation with CERT-India.
Programs
NCIIPC runs a number of programs to engage with its Stakeholders. Some of them are as follows:
Some of the major NCIIPC initiatives are as follows:
Incident Response and Responsible Vulnerability Disclosure program- NCIIPC runs these programs for reporting any Vulnerability in Critical Information Infrastructures.
PPP for Training- Identification of PPP entities for partnership and formulation of training requirements and guidelines for conducting training for all stakeholders.
CII Range to simulate real world threat– IT and OT simulations for critical sectors to test the defense of CII.
Cyber Security Preparedness Survey, Risk Assessment, Audit, review and Compliance.
Interns, Research Scholars & Cyber Security professionals- NCIIPC Internship program is available throughout the year.
NCIIPC Newsletter
NCIIPC releases its quarterly newsletter encompassing latest developments in the field of Critical Information Infrastructure and its protection along with various initiatives taken by NCIIPC to spread awareness and best practices and much more. Find below copies of Newsletters:
NCIIPC Guidelines
NCIIPC releases SOPs and Guidelines for CISOs, CII Organisations and others to enhance the cybersecurity defense posture. Below are the copies:
