Cyber Security Breach Established in Andaman Major Case, Not Espionage: Antony

Defence Minister A K Antony has said that a probe by the Army and other agencies into the leakage of classified information from a Major’s computer established ‘cyber security breach’ but not the espionage angel so far, said media reports.

“One thing is clear, established (that) there is a clear case of breach of cyber security. That is proven beyond doubt,” Antony was quoted as saying while talking to reports.

He made the remarks while answering questions about the investigation against an Army Major posted in Andaman and Nicobar Islands from whose computer critical information had been e-mailed to a Pakistani agent.

“It is a case of alleged misuse of computer by an officer of the Army. The moment we got information, government took action and we ordered an inquiry. Army itself ordered the inquiry, which is still going on,” he was quoted as saying.

He noted that both the Army and other security agencies grilled the officer and that nothing came out so far, reports said.

“They have not got any proof (on espionage),” the minister was quoted as saying.

Terming hacking as a ‘serious problem’, Antony said that there were many complaints from various sources of hacking of computers containing very sensitive and important information in various organizations, said reports.

“After that, the government as a whole and the Defence Ministry in particular has taken sufficient precautionary steps to prevent this kind of misuse and hacking,” he was quoted as saying.

(Based on internet reports)