Are the Mobile Service Providers Ready for the Challenge?
Recent
developments in the Indian Security scenario has imposed many new
responsibilities on the Indian Mobile Service Providers. On the negative
side, with the terrorist activities on the rise any new technological
device is prone to being misused by the terrorists.
We are
now on the threshold of widespread introduction of e-mails over the mobile
network as well as the use of mobile network for connecting laptops to
Internet. These developments place the mobile service providers directly in
the firing line of terrorist misuse.
Whenever
the network is misused to commit a crime, the network operator would come
in for vicarious liabilities arising out of the crimes. The only escape for
the network operators is to focus on "Due Diligence" so that they would not
be liable for the offences but can take refuge under Section 79 of ITA 2000
or similar provisions under other laws. However this requires
institution of a Cyber Law Compliance programme by the service provider.
Sooner
the service providers bestow their attention on what constitutes Cyber Law
Compliance and implement necessary due diligence efforts, it is better for
them and for the country.
On the
positive side, the recent RBI guidelines on mobile banking has opened a new
avenue of business for mobile service providers. By upgrading their service
offers, a new source of e-commerce revenue can be reaped in by the mobile
service providers to offset the falling revenue on the voice call side.
In order
to fully exploit the opportunities presented by the Mobile Banking
opportunities, the service providers need to also introduce
appropriate process and information security for their operations.
Presently the computer based Internet Banking is considered as a weak
channel and informed Bank customers are wary of using the facilities. The
mobile Banking will therefore be a non-starter unless the system lends to
security which is better than the existing Internet Banking security.
In fact
it is debatable if the RBI initiative is a little pre-mature since we donot
even have a good Anti Virus and Anti Spoofing mechanism for Mobiles.
Probably the industry should respond to this generous gesture of RBI with
an immediate security upgradation plan.
Are the
Mobile Service Providers Ready for the Challenge?
Naavi
September 21, 2008
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