Cyber Security - Current Affairs Questions and Answers

1)   Which country has launched a new military unit for thwarting cyberattacks?

a. Germany
b. France
c. Spain
d. Italy
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Germany

Explanation:
Germany has launched a new military unit dedicated to thwarting cyberattacks and responding if necessary.

The unit, which will be fully operational by 2021, will bring together information technology experts from other branches of the military, and also include new specialists.

In all, it's envisioned to have some 13,500 soldiers and civilians by summer.

The unit is being put under command of a lieutenant general with an initial 260 troops under his command.

The Defence Ministry says the military experiences thousands of cyberattacks of varying degrees of severity on its servers every day.

Germany: Know More

  • Capital: Berlin
  • Code: +49
  • President: Frank-Walter Steinmeier
  • Key Cities: Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Düsseldorf.
  • Official language: German


2)   India is working with how many countries for information exchange on cybercrimes and bilateral cooperation?

a. 15
b. 16
c. 17
d. 18
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 15

Explanation:
India is working with 15 countries for information exchange on cybercrimes and bilateral cooperation on tackling it.

India is working for bilateral cooperation with 15 countries for exchange of information and data pertaining to cyber crimes and related cooperation in law enforcement.

There is a steady increase in the government websites that have been hacked since 2014.

As per the information provided by MeITY, a total of 155, 164, 199 and 39 websites of certain ministries and departments as well as state governments were hacked in 2014 to 2017.

The government has constituted an Expert Group to study gaps and challenges in tackling cyber crimes in the country and prepare a road map for tackling and giving recommendations on all facets.

Cyber Crime Prevention Against Women and Children scheme: Know More

  • CCWPC has been approved by the government
  • It aims at setting up online cyber crime reporting platforms.
  • It also works for cyber forensic training cum labs in states and UTs as well as R&D facilities and capacity building in law enforcement agencies against cyber crime across the nation.
  • Indian cyber crime coordination centre 14C scheme has been placed for appraisal.


3)   Amrita University TBI and CCSN have set up India's first startup hub for?

a. Cybersecurity
b. Online operations
c. eCommerce
d. Mobile banking
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Cybersecurity

Explanation:
Amrita University's Technology Business Incubator (TBI) and its Centre for Cybersecurity Systems and Networks (CCSN) have come together to set up India's first startup hub exclusively for cybersecurity.


The focus areas will include mobile, cloud, cyber-physical systems, digital forensics, cryptography, malware analysis and so on.


The initiative will bring together research, funding and industry on the same platform.

There are more than 4,000 startups in the country today, but less than 100 operate in the field of cybersecurity and build related products.

With wars being fought every minute across the world in cyberspace, cybersecurity has become a strategic national priority.

Cybersecurity Threats: Know More

  • Cybersecurity is estimated to be a US $70 billion industry worldwide, with an annual loss of US $400 billion due to cybercrime and threats. This loss is expected to shoot up to US $2 trillion by 2020.
  • India witnessed an estimated 50,000 cybersecurity incidents in 2015.
  • More than 26,000 websites have been defaced and 91 lakh infected systems have been detected in the country till now.
  • 80% of all cybercrimes go unreported.
  • Without strong software security and protection techniques, all software-based systems are vulnerable to devastating attacks from hackers and spies.


4)   Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis announced the setting up of how many cyber labs to crack down on cyber crime?

a. 33
b. 34
c. 35
d. 36
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 34

Explanation:
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis announced the commencement of 34 cyber labs in various parts of the state to crack down on cybercrime.

  • A total of 51 psych labs will eventually be started in the state.
  • CM also launched Aaple Sarkar, an integrated web based platform that allows citizens to register grievances and send suggestions to government on various issues in January 2015.
  • There are now 30 lakh applications on the portal leading to 92 percent rate of satisfaction.


5)   Pakistan’s Parliament adopted a legislation to deal with which offence?

a. Cybercrime
b. Honour Killings
c. Both of the above
d. Neither of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Cybercrime

Explanation:
Pakistan’s parliament adopted a draconian legislation to deal with cybercrime in the country despite criticism by opposition parties and groups working to protect fundamental rights.

  • National Assembly or lower house passed the “Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act” without any amendment to the draft passed by the Senate.
  • Senate also made close to 50 amendments which were passed by the National Assembly in April.
  • Law includes a total of 21 offences related to misuse of the Internet with over a dozen crimes for which fresh law prescribes jail term.
  • This includes the use of cyberspace for terrorism, pornography, hate speech, fraud and tampering information.
  • Opposition parties including Pakistan People Party, Pakistan’s Tehreek-i-Insaf and Muttahida Quasi Movement condemned sections of the bill.


6)   Which stock exchange signed an agreement with IIT-K for collaboration in areas including cyber security in August 2016?

a. NSE
b. BSE
c. Madras Stock Exchange
d. Kolkata Stock Exchange
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: BSE

Explanation:
Leading stock exchange BSE on 3rd August 2016 signed an agreement with Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur for collaboration in areas including cyber security.

  • Leading stock exchange BSE will be assisted in testing vulnerabilities in IT system and network and help form guidelines and audit security operations.
  • Key highlights of the MoU include cooperation for cyber security research in financial marks developing an environment to deal with cyber security challenges and tools to strengthen cyber security and advise BSE in cyber related issues.


7)   Global cyber security leader Paladion has announced the appointment of whom as the President and COO?

a. Sunil Gupta
b. Sunil Mehta
c. Sunil Singh
d. Sunil SInha
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Sunil Gupta

Explanation:
Global cyber security leader Paladion announced the appointment of Sunil Gupta, a former Infosys Edge Verve COO as President and Chief Operating Officer.

  • Sunil will monitor business strategies and outcomes in MEA and India and will direct all business units and delivery.
  • Security management is transitioning from slow people based processes to more active poster by leveraging automation and analytics.
  • Paladion has been the forefront of developments and delivers leading edge Cyber Active services through proprietary, high performance analytics and orchestration platform.


8)   Who took over as India's first Cyber Security chief w.e.f 1st Apr’15?

a. Anil Kumar
b. A N Garg
c. S Radhakrishnan
d. Gulshan Rai
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Gulshan Rai

Explanation:
Earlier this he was the Director General of Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (Cert-In).