The national security architecture needs to be robust enough to deal with present and evolving threats. Elaborating the statement, discuss the recent steps for modernizing national security architecture.

The National Security Architecture (NSA) needs to be robust to deal with ever-increasing challenges of internal and external security threats. India borders hostile neighbors and has border disputes with two nuclear-powered Nations.

• Internal security threats include challenges of homegrown terror outfits like JeM, SIMI, Indian Mujahideen, etc; insurgent groups like ULFA, NSCN-K, etc; the threat of Naxalism and the recent threat of cyber warfare.
• Thus, National Security Architecture must be capable enough to deal with the evolving challenges, especially from an emerging triad of space, cyberspace, and secret agencies, as pointed out by the joint statement of CDS.

Recently, several steps have been taken to improve NSA, especially after the failure to prevent the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Uri and Pathankot attacks, etc.

• Coastal security architecture revamped with three-layer security by Marine Police, Coast Guards, and Indian Navy.
• Preparedness drills like Tat Rakshak, etc are undertaken.
• Partial operationalization of NATGRID.
• CCTNS (Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems) network is being developed to ensure quick investigation.
• Intelligence infrastructure is being upgraded with NTRO functionalization, a multi-agency center to collaborate intelligence inputs.
• Overhauling of the office of National Security Advisor with a shift towards PMO.
• Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System for border security.
• CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team) formed under Meity to work to protect critical information infrastructure from cyber threats.

More Steps such as complete operationalization of NATGRID and the formation of a central agency for dealing with security threats for both center and states can be the step forward.

Topics: GS-III: Challenges to Internal Security Through Communication Networks • GS-III: Role of Media and Social Networking Sites in Internal Security Challenges • GS-III: Cyber Security in India • GS-III: Various Security Forces and Agencies and Their Mandate