New Delhi (VNA) – Thesecond ASEAN-India Track 1.5 Dialogue on Cyber Issues was held virtually in NewDelhi, India on October 13, focusing on cooperation and security in the digitaland cyber domain in the context of COVID-19 pandemic.

The event was attended by IndonesianAmbassador to India Dato Suryodipuro, Director of the Observer ResearchFoundation Akshay Mathur, Secretary (East) in External Affairs Ministry VijayThakur Singh, and eminent cyber experts representing governments, think-tanks,academia, and industry from the ASEAN member states and India.

Participants at the event agreed thatdue to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, work from home has become a new norm.

There is a greater dependence ondigital payment platforms due to reduced cash handling, while presence onsocial media has also increased, they said.

They held that that with increasedinterconnectedness, the dangers related to cybercrime is also on the rise.COVID-19 related frauds, phishing campaigns, and online sale of fake medicalsupplies and PPEs are on the rise too.

Vijay Thakur Singh highlighted thedangers involved with cybercrimes.

She said that the increaseddependence on digital technologies has created both pressures and opportunitiesfor creative policy solutions and regional collaboration to foster a secure,resilient and equitable cyberspace.

In view of the lurking dangersinvolved with it, Singh laid stress on the enhanced need to formulate andimplement measures for securing cyber domain from the malicious actors.

The official introduced Indianinitiatives to tackle the situation, including the National Cyber SecurityStrategy 2020 for the next five years.

The ASEAN too has come up with itsown sets of solutions to curb cyber crimes, such as the e-ASEAN FrameworkAgreement, ASEAN Economic Community 2025, and Master Plan of ASEAN Connectivity(MPAC 2025).

Meanwhile, India launched India'sCentres of Excellence in Software Development and Training (CESDTs) inCambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam to enhance digital cooperation./.