New Delhi: On August 29, under the Information Technology Act, the central government designated the centralized traffic control of the north central railways and train management system of Central and Western Railway, as “protected systems”.
The Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) —KAVACH— of South Central Railway has also been given the same status under the IT Act, according to a notice issued by the Railway Board.
When something is declared “protected systems”, it means if the computer resource is destroyed, or incapacitated, it could result in severe repercussions for national security, public health, safety or even the economy. Any individual who gains access, or attempts to these systems unlawfully, would be in violation of the IT Act and could face imprisonment for unto 10 years, and a fine.
The Railway Board outlined a group of individuals that have the authorization to access these protected systems. This includes designated employees of the Indian Railways, team members of contractual managed service provider that have been authorized, third-party vendors authorized by the Railways for specific access requirements, any regulator, auditor, consultant, government official and stakeholder with access to protected systems that have been declared as authorized personnel.
This move comes as an initiative from the government to safeguard the security and integrity of critical railway control systems that play a crucial role in public safety and national infrastructure.
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