Protecting Critical Information Infrastructure: The Role of the G20

Technology is now omnipresent and has an impact on many facets of society, including governance, service delivery, national and international policies, and warfare. But this reliance on technology also leaves crucial systems open to potential failures. A nation’s duty to protect critical systems is to guarantee the continuance of essential services.

What is critical information infrastructure?

The interrelated systems and resources that are crucial for the operation of a country’s society, economy, and government are referred to as critical information infrastructure. It includes all of the networks, data, hardware, software, and communication channels needed to support critical operations.

It includes sectors such as transportation, energy, banking and finance, healthcare, telecommunications, water and sanitation, emergency services, and government networks.

Protecting critical information infrastructure is crucial to ensure the continuity of services, safeguard sensitive data, and defend against cyber threats, including cyberattacks, data breaches, and other malicious activities.

Differences in defining critical information infrastructure

Criteria for Criticality: Different countries employ distinct criteria to determine the criticality of information infrastructure.

For example: One country may consider infrastructure critical if its failure impacts national security, economy, public health, or safety. Another country may define critical infrastructure based on the potential for sustained supply shortages, disruptions to public safety and security, or other significant consequences.

Scope of Infrastructure: There may be variations in the scope of infrastructure considered critical. While certain sectors like energy, transportation, banking, and telecommunications are commonly recognized as critical across many countries, there might be differences in identifying sub-sectors or specific enterprises within those sectors. Some countries may include additional sectors like water and sanitation, emergency services, healthcare, or government networks in their definition of critical information infrastructure.

Overlapping Criteria: In some cases, the criteria used to identify critical infrastructure may overlap with one another. For instance, ensuring the availability, delivery, or integrity of essential services can encompass vital societal functions, information flow, and communication channels. Harmonizing these overlapping criteria can help establish specific and comprehensive criteria that cater to the needs of all countries.

National Context: National priorities and contextual factors also influence the definition of critical information infrastructure. Countries may consider their unique geopolitical situation, existing threats, vulnerabilities, and the potential impact on their economy and citizens. This context-specific approach allows each country to address its specific challenges and ensure the protection of infrastructure crucial to its national well-being.

Role of the G20 in developing global norms for protecting critical infrastructure

Platform for Discussion: The G20 provides a platform for member countries to engage in discussions and exchanges on pressing global issues, including cybersecurity and the protection of critical infrastructure. It brings together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders from various sectors to share insights, experiences, and best practices.

Building Consensus: The G20 aims to build consensus among member countries on critical issues related to protecting infrastructure. Through dialogue, negotiations, and diplomatic efforts, the G20 seeks to develop common understandings and principles that can guide international cooperation in safeguarding critical information infrastructure.

Initiating Discussions: The G20 has the capacity to initiate discussions on specific topics and themes relevant to critical infrastructure protection. By placing the issue on the G20 agenda, it draws attention to the importance of addressing cybersecurity risks and establishing global norms in this area.

Leveraging Economic Influence: The G20 represents around 85 percent of global GDP, over 75 percent of global trade, and a significant portion of the world population. This economic influence provides the G20 with leverage to drive discussions and encourage member countries to prioritize the protection of critical infrastructure.

Collaboration with International Organizations: The G20 collaborates with international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). This collaboration helps leverage the expertise, resources, and frameworks of these organizations to inform discussions and develop comprehensive approaches to protecting critical infrastructure.

Promoting International Stability: The G20 recognizes that protecting critical infrastructure is crucial for international stability and economic cooperation. By advocating for global norms and responsible state behavior, the G20 aims to enhance cybersecurity, prevent disruptions, and promote a secure digital environment for economic activities.

Influencing Policy Development: The G20’s discussions and recommendations on critical infrastructure protection can influence policy development at the national and international levels. Member countries may align their policies and frameworks with the norms and principles identified through G20 deliberations, thereby fostering harmonization and cooperation.

Model Prisons Act 2023 to replace British-era Law

To replace the antiquated Prisons Act of 1894, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has created the “Model Prisons Act 2023.”

Model Prisons Act, 2023

The new law’s primary goals are to restructure prison administration and reform and rehabilitate convicts.

The duty of examining the laws and creating a new draught fell to the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), a think tank on policing issues.

Important Elements of the Act

The sample law contains measures for penalising inmates and correctional employees who use restricted items like mobile phones while on duty.

It establishes and manages high-security jails, open jails (open and semi-open), and provisions for protecting society from hardened criminals and habitual offenders.

The act provides legal aid to prisoners and includes provisions for parole, furlough, and premature release as incentives for good conduct.

Need for a New Prisons Act

Outdated laws: The existing laws, including the Prisons Act of 1894, the Prisoners Act of 1900, and the Transfer of Prisoners Act of 1950, are outdated and need to be updated.

Better prison administration: The MHA found several gaps in the existing act and emphasized the need for a correctional focus in prison administration.

Prisoners’ rehab: The existing Prisons Act of 1894 lacks a focus on reform and rehabilitation of prisoners.

Use of technology: The act also incorporates the use of technology in prison management and emphasizes the physical and mental well-being of prisoners.

Review and Integration of Existing Laws

Along with the Prisons Act of 1894, the Prisoners Act of 1900 and the Transfer of Prisoners Act of 1950 have also been reviewed by the MHA.

Relevant provisions from these acts have been assimilated into the Model Prisons Act 2023.

State governments and union territory administrations are encouraged to adopt the model act in their jurisdictions, with necessary modifications and the repeal of the existing three acts.

Focus Areas of the Model Act

Segregation of prisoners: The act emphasizes security assessment and segregation of prisoners, individual sentence planning, and grievance redressal.

Prison development board: It proposes the establishment of a prison development board and aims to promote an attitudinal change towards prisoners.

Gendered division: The act provides for separate accommodation for women prisoners, transgender individuals, and other specific groups.

Technological push: It highlights the use of technology in prison administration, such as video-conferencing with courts and scientific and technological interventions.

Key Lessons

Changing Perspective on Prisons: The statement acknowledges that globally, prisons are now seen as reformative and correctional institutions.

Retributive deterrence: Prisons are no longer considered solely as places of retributive deterrence but as institutions where prisoners can be transformed and rehabilitated as law-abiding citizens.

Considerations for prison reforms in India

Overcrowding and Understaffing: Addressing the issue of prison overcrowding by exploring alternatives to incarceration for non-violent offenders, such as diversion programs and community-based sentencing.

Legal Aid and Access to Justice: Ensuring that prisoners have access to legal aid and representation to protect their rights and facilitate fair trials. Promoting awareness among inmates about their legal rights and avenues for seeking redress.

Prison Healthcare: Enhancing healthcare services within prisons, including mental health support and substance abuse treatment programs.

Women and Children in Prisons: Creating gender-responsive policies and separate accommodations for women prisoners, ensuring their safety, privacy, and access to reproductive health services.

Community Reintegration: Collaborating with community-based organizations, NGOs, and vocational training institutes to support the reintegration of released prisoners into society.

Technology and Digital Solutions: Leveraging technology to improve prison management, record-keeping, and communication systems.

RBI to join Greenwashing TechSprint

The Global Financial Innovation Network’s (GFIN) Greenwashing TechSprint has received an announcement from the RBI on its participation.

How does greenwashing work?

Making inflated, false, or unsupported claims about a product’s, service’s, or organization’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) credentials is known as “greenwashing.”

It is a dishonest marketing tactic to represent a company as socially or ecologically conscious even when its activities or practises do not support these claims.

In actuality, a firm may be engaging in activities that are detrimental to the environment or society while giving the impression that it is pursuing sustainability or social responsibility.

It creates the perception that a company is taking steps towards sustainability or social responsibility, but in reality, it may be engaging in practices that are harmful to the environment or society.

There are various forms of greenwashing that companies may employ to deceive consumers or investors. These include:

Vague or ambiguous claims: Companies may use general statements or buzzwords without providing specific details or evidence to support their environmental or social claims. For example, stating that a product is “eco-friendly” without explaining the specific environmental benefits or certifications.

Irrelevant or misleading labels: Companies may use misleading labels or certifications that give the impression of sustainability or social responsibility but lack meaningful standards or independent verification. This can confuse consumers who rely on such labels to make informed choices.

Hidden trade-offs: Greenwashing can involve emphasizing one positive aspect of a product or company’s operations while ignoring or downplaying other negative impacts. For instance, a company may highlight its use of renewable energy while disregarding other harmful environmental practices.

Lack of transparency: Companies may fail to provide transparent information about their sustainability practices or refuse to disclose relevant data. This lack of transparency makes it difficult for consumers to verify the accuracy of the company’s claims.

Inconsistent messaging: Some companies may adopt green initiatives or promote sustainable products as a public relations exercise, without making substantial changes to their overall operations. This inconsistency between their messaging and actual practices is a form of greenwashing.

Implications of greenwashing

It undermines consumer trust, as people may make purchasing decisions based on misleading information.

It also hampers the credibility of genuinely sustainable businesses by creating scepticism in the market.

Moreover, it can divert attention and resources away from genuinely sustainable companies and initiatives.

What is Carbon Dating? How does it work?

The Allahabad High Court instructed the ASI to carbon date the “Shivling” discovered on the grounds of the Gyanvapi mosque without endangering the building.

How does carbon dating work?

The age of biological materials that were formerly living is commonly ascertained through carbon dating.

Based on the radioactive decay of Carbon-14 (C-14), a carbon isotope with an atomic mass of 14, the procedure is used.

It functions by measuring the proportion of C-12 to C-14 in the atmosphere as well as in living things that absorb carbon through photosynthesis or dietary intake, such as plants and animals.

The half-life concept

Carbon-14 has a half-life of 5,730 ± 40 years—i.e., half the amount of the radioisotope present at any given time will undergo spontaneous disintegration during the succeeding 5,730 years.

Because carbon-14 decays at this constant rate, an estimate of the date at which an organism died can be made by measuring the amount of its residual radiocarbon.

Limitations of Carbon Dating

Carbon dating has certain limitations and cannot be applied in all circumstances.

It is not suitable for determining the age of non-living things such as rocks.

Carbon dating becomes less accurate for objects older than 40,000-50,000 years, as the amount of detectable C-14 becomes significantly small.

Other radiometric dating methods are employed to determine the age of inanimate objects, which rely on the decay of radioactive elements present in the material.

Examples of such methods include potassium-argon dating and uranium-thorium-lead dating, which analyze the ratios of specific isotopes to estimate the age of rocks.

Other Dating Methods

In addition to radiometric dating, there are alternative methods to determine the age of objects.

Cosmogenic nuclide dating: CRN is one such method that utilizes radioactive decay to estimate age and is commonly used to study the age of ice cores in Polar Regions.

Potassium-argon dating: A radiometric dating method that measures the ratio of potassium to argon isotopes in rocks to determine their age.

Uranium-thorium-lead dating: A radiometric dating method that analyses the ratios of uranium, thorium, and lead isotopes in rocks to estimate their age.