While it may not seem strange to see weapons in a soldier’s equipment, smartphones are a new addition.
Union Minister Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary has now announced that troops who are deployed along India’s international borders and in areas hit by Maoist attacks will soon be receiving secure mobile phones as a part of their standard equipment.
Since even those whose deployments are to rather remote areas still receive cell service, this could be helpful.
The secure mobile phones will even be issued to security personnel who are located in areas that have only short-term occasional connections. Chaudhary explained that “We are planning to provide secure mobile phones to all security personnel deployed along the borders and Naxal-affected areas so that they can keep in touch with their family via 3G connection.” It would not be possible for the mobile technology to be intercepted, he said, because the telephone exchange would be carried by the battalions wherever they go instead of being kept in a fixed position as is the case with traditional networks.
The secure mobile phones have received the approval of an American company that has said the tech is ready.
A delegation from that U.S. based company met with Chaudhary, at which time the company claimed that it was prepared to provide the cell phone exchange within a portable box. That would make it possible for security personnel to access any of over 1,000 secure mobile connections per box.
When meeting with another delegation from yet another American company, Chaudhary also arranged to obtain blood testing equipment that would make it possible for blood tests to be taken and processed within a span of a handful of minutes, providing security personnel with a vital way to save time in this task.
This introduction and adoption of the new mobile technology is a part of a broader effort from the central government to prevent cyber crime as it becomes available through the evolution of the latest tech. Chaudhary pointed out that the laws in the country have yet to directly address the prevention of cyber-crime and that, beyond the secure mobile phones, the government has now launched a judicial process designed to create new legal regulations that will align with the advancement of technology.
Mobile security is becoming more important
Security has become one of the most important aspects of the digital world. Much of the modern world has some tie to the Internet or otherwise relies heavily on technology that draws resources from the digital world. Because of this, security has become a top priority, especially as hackers and some malicious parties become more popular. IDC, a leading research firm, suggests that security is on the verge of becoming a very lucrative market, especially in the mobile space. Mobile security has become a major concern for many businesses and consumers over the past few years.
Hackers represent a new breed of thief
There are threats that exist in the digital world that are very unlike those that exist in the physical world. In the physical world, a criminal can steal physical properties, with varying degrees of success. In the digital world, however, there are no physical properties. Instead of stealing a purse or a mobile device, a hacker can steal something much more valuable: Information. Financial information, in particular, is highly prized among so called cybercriminals. As more consumers come to rely on their mobile devices to traffic such information, mobile security is becoming more important.
Security market expected to hit $870 million by 2017
According to IDC, the global market for security solutions will reach $870 million by 2017. Mobile security, in particular, is expected to be a powerful force in the security market. Hackers and other groups are beginning to focus more intently on the mobile space, largely due to the amount and kind of information that can be found on a mobile device. Until very recently, mobile security had not been an issue for consumers or businesses. This has left the mobile space with limited options regarding security and with lackluster awareness concerning the threats that exist in the digital world.
Awareness may be a significant problem for mobile security
Awareness is perhaps one of the greatest challenges currently facing the realm of mobile security. Many consumers know that threats exist in the cyber world, but not how they can protect themselves. Moreover, many consumers consider themselves invulnerable to these threats or think that their mobile device is too advanced to be susceptible to malicious attacks. Without appropriate awareness concerning mobile security, many consumers may be exposing themselves to significant risks.
