CYBER-PHYSICAL SYSTEMS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 - Cyber Security)

Context:  IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation at IIT Madras, a Technology Innovation Hub for Sensors, Networking, Actuators and Control Systems (SNACS), supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), along with its incubated startup, is developing an indigenous security testing solution for 5G core network functions and Radio Access Network (RAN) software..

Key Points

• This technology solution can automatically identify zero-day vulnerabilities in the network in advance by using techniques such as fuzzing and test oracles.
• This can help smoothen countrywide communication as 5G networks become its lifeline in the near future.
• Around ninety percent of the 5G technology is implemented into software by integrating several latest technologies (NFV, SDN, control plane/user plane segregation) which enable testing the technology easily. 
• But attack surface area is increased multifold in this process and is impossible to manage manually. 
• Automating the whole testing process and continuous monitoring is the only sustainable solution.

National Mission in Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems

• About: It was launched in 2018 at a total outlay of Rs.3660 Crores for a period of five years.
• Cyber-physical system combines digital/cyber elements with physical objects (e.g. machines, autonomous vehicles) and data with capabilities of communication, data collection & processing, computing, decision making and action
• Objectives: It is comprehensive mission to address technology development, application development, human resource development & skill enhancement, entrepreneurship and start-up development in CPS and associated technologies.
• As part of the Mission implementation, 25 Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs) have been established in advanced technologies in reputed institutes across the country.
• Nodal Ministry: It is being implemented by Department of Science & Technology under the Ministry of Science and Technology.