(a) whether transmission and distribution sectors of the country are most
vulnerable to crippling cyber attacks on a scale which will have serious
implications for national security and economy;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the corrective measures being taken or proposed to be taken by the
Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF POWER
( SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA )
(a) to (c) : As per the Report of the Enquiry Committee set up by the Ministry
of Power to inquire into the Grid Disturbances in July, 2012, the cyber attacks
can be perpetrated by outsiders or by insiders and may have far-reaching and
detrimental effects on power systems controls, that could lead to the
destabilization of the supply capabilities of energy sector and may have a
cascading effect on the national security/economy.
The CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Teams), Department of Information
Technology, Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Government of
India has prepared a Crisis Management Plan (CMP) for countering cyber attacks and
cyber terrorism for preventing the large scale disruption in the functioning of
critical information systems of Government, public and private sector resources
and services. Ministry of Power has also constituted CERT-Thermal, CERT-Hydro
and CERT- Transmission with nodal agencies as NTPC, NHPC and POWERGRID
respectively, to take necessary action to prevent cyber attacks on the utilities
under their jurisdiction.