JyotikaSBaliarsingh: Put Up Some Details Initial Version - done

2026-04-15T11:51:48Z

Put Up Some Details Initial Version - done

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{{Short description|Official program jointly developed in support with the Government of India}}
{{multiple issues|{{more footnotes needed|date=February 2013}}
{{Essay-like|date=November 2021}}}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2015}}
'''National Security Database''' is reportedly an official accreditation program in [[India]], awarded to information respected cybersecurity experts with proven skills to protect the country's National Critical Infrastructure and economy.

Under the program, reportedly developed by the [[Information Sharing and Analysis Center]] (ISAC), in support with the [[Government of India]], professionals can apply for the program by clearing a technical lab examination and [[Psychometric Test|psychometric test]]. Program alumni reportedly become instrumental in a pool of ethical defence-testing hackers tasked with fixing the weakness of organizational systems in case of large [[cyberattack]]s.

==History==

The project was conceived after the [[2008 Mumbai attacks]] to protect India's National Critical Infrastructure and [[Cyberspace]]. The program was founded by Rajshekhar Murthy,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jammag.com/newjam/careers/n/showart.php?art_id%3D451 |title=JAI VIRU(S) |website=www.jammag.com |access-date=November 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111021072710/http://www.jammag.com/newjam/careers/n/showart.php?art_id=451 |archive-date=October 21, 2011 }}</ref> under a non-profit [[Non-profit laws of India|section 25 company]], 'Information Sharing and Analysis Center', supported by the highly specialised technical intelligence agency [[National Technical Research Organisation|NTRO]], run under the Government of India.

Earlier, the program was announced as a pilot at the International Malware Conference, [[MalCon]], in 2010 in Mumbai, where Indian Government officials reportedly asked Indian hackers to learn Chinese.<ref>{{cite web |author=J Dey Date: 2010-12-05 Place: Mumbai |url=http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/dec/051210-ethical-hackers-chinese-lessons-red-attacks-mumbai.htm |title=Ethical hackers asked to learn Chinese to beat red attacks |publisher=Mid-day.com |date=2010-12-05 |access-date=2013-05-16 |archive-date=2012-09-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921005418/http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/dec/051210-ethical-hackers-chinese-lessons-red-attacks-mumbai.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=kohi10 |url=http://kohi10.wordpress.com/2010/12/05/got-mad-hacking-skillz-speak-chinese/ |title=Got Mad Hacking Skillz? Speak Chinese? | MadMark's Blog |publisher=Kohi10.wordpress.com |date=2010-12-05 |access-date=2013-05-16 |archive-date=2014-04-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422232740/http://kohi10.wordpress.com/2010/12/05/got-mad-hacking-skillz-speak-chinese/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Program launch==
The program was released on 26 November,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.techgoss.com/Story/3921S14-NSD-launch-in-Mumbai.aspx |title=techgoss.com |publisher=techgoss.com |date=2011-11-09 |access-date=2013-05-16 |archive-date=2021-10-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008094546/http://www.techgoss.com/Story/3921S14-NSD-launch-in-Mumbai.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> the same date as of the [[2008 Mumbai attacks|2008 Mumbai Attacks]], at the International Malware Conference, [[Malcon|MalCon]], at JW Marriott, Mumbai. The program was inaugurated by Shri [[Sachin Pilot|Sachin pilot]], Minister of State in the [[Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies|Ministry of Communications and Information Technology]].

==Access restrictions==
The empanelment in the database can only be applied by Indian citizens, and limited access is available to the Industry to benefit from a list of credible experts. However, most of the database access is restricted to supporting Indian government organisations.

==Debate==
The program is largely believed to identify professional, ethical hackers and security experts by the government of India to protect its critical infrastructure and cyberspace. IT Minister [[Kapil Sibal]] has reportedly expressed the need for a community of ethical hackers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-11-16/news/30405872_1_cyber-security-kapil-sibal-community-of-ethical-hackers |title=We need a community of ethical hackers, says IT minister Kapil Sibal – Economic Times |work=The Economic Times |date=2011-11-16 |access-date=2013-05-16 |archive-date=2013-12-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227073421/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-11-16/news/30405872_1_cyber-security-kapil-sibal-community-of-ethical-hackers |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Alok Vijayant, director of the information dominance group at the [[National Technical Research Organisation]], quoted<ref name="outlookindia1">{{cite web |url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?279001 |title=Our Ether Warriors | Debarshi Dasgupta |magazine=Outlook|location=New Delhi |access-date=2013-05-16 |archive-date=2013-12-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210165925/http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?279001 |url-status=live }}</ref> in an interview with India's top weekly magazine ''[[Outlook India|Outlook]]'', that NSD should not be "trivialised" by describing it as just a group of hackers. "Supported by the government and the industry, NSD is a good initiative since it will provide a ready-aid database of the most credible security professionals. This is more so because [[information security]] is a domain where individuals have the skills, not companies, to move from one firm to another regularly..

==Official support to the project==
NSD is officially endorsed by the multiple Indian Government organisations, such as [[Indian Computer Emergency Response Team|CERT-IN]] and [[National Technical Research Organisation|NTRO]], for the stated National objectives with recognition of the foundation and declared support for the work being done. The collaboration is open, and all supporting organisations who need to access the database can do so with a formal MoU with the body.

==Industry and community contribution==
Various organisations are actively participating and supporting the National Security Database. Notable organisations having voluntary representations governing the NSD advisory panel at a national level include the HoneyNet India Chapter, Microsoft India and the country's oldest security conference clubhack.

==Current speciality domains of the NSD==
The National Security Database program has the following speciality domains under which professionals can apply for empanelment:

# Information security compliance and penetration testing
# Reverse engineering
# Web application security
# Malware research and analysis
# Exploit development
# Mobile application security
# Digital forensic analysis
# Telecom security (by Invitation)
# Banking security (by Invitation)

In a quote with ''Outlook'' magazine, the director of ISAC, Rajshekhar Murthy, stated<ref name="outlookindia1"/> that it is necessary to have people who are not only competent, but also have a high degree of trustworthiness and integrity. "The selection process will involve examination of references, technical skills, criminal history, and even psychological assessment to generate a credit report for security clearance".

==More Information==
*National Security Database Academy<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.isacindia.org/|title=Information Sharing and Analysis Center | National Security Database.|website=Information Sharing and Analysis Center|access-date=2021-10-08|archive-date=2021-08-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804134102/https://www.isacindia.org/|url-status=live}}</ref>
*National Security Database Certification<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.isacindia.org/|title=Information Sharing and Analysis Center|website=isacindia.org|access-date=2021-10-08|archive-date=2021-08-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804134102/https://www.isacindia.org/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==

[[Category:Databases in India]]
[[Category:Security databases]]

National Security Database - Revision history

JyotikaSBaliarsingh: Put Up Some Details Initial Version - done