The Outlines Of A National Security Policy

Context: Once cybertechnology becomes a key variable in defence policies of a nation, land size or GDP size are irrelevant. 

Cyberwarfare questioning established norms of national security

• As an equaliser: Cyberwarfare has reduced deterrent value of sizes as the capacity to cause devastation to a large nation by cyber warfare is within the reach of even small and poorer nations.
  • Eg: Sri Lanka, or North Korea, empowered by cybertechnology, will be equal to United States, Russia, India or China, in their capability to cause unacceptable damage.
• Cyber weapons-based warfare will immobilise current tangible advanced weapon systems in a war through drones, robots, satellites and advanced computers.
  • Eg: New weaponry based on remote-controlled drones or AI-driven weapons systems.
• Unpredictable nature of cyberattack: In a short span of time, it can make countries clueless. Eg. Chinese interference in shut down of Mumbai’s electric supply for a few hours in 2020.
• Increased risks: Increased bilateral conflicts in 21st century based on cyber-warfare rather than in multilateral acts of conventional war or rely on military blocs for mobilisation.
• Anonymity and policy gap: Tracking cyber warfare centres of adversaries need a new national security policy.
  • 21^st century national security hotspots are electronic operations from a remote centre beyond front lines of ground forces or air power to track enemy assets.

Way forward: 21^st century National Security shall be based on four dimensions

• Redefine objectives: Define what assets are required to be defended, the identity of opponents who seek to overawe people of a target nation, by unfamiliar moves to cause disorientation of people.
• Reassess priorities: Considering the scope for future uncertainties, national security priorities will require new departments for supporting several frontiers of innovation and technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells, desalination of seawater, thorium for nuclear technology, anti-computer viruses, and new immunity-creating medicines.
• Refine strategies: Anticipate enemies in many dimensions and by demonstrative but limited pre-emptive strikes by developing a strategy of deterrence.
  • India has to devise a new strategy considering Chinese capability factor in critical and emerging technologies, connectivity and infrastructure, cyber security and maritime security.
• Resource Mobilization: Through a demand supply balanced market for future threats.