CENTRE EXEMPTS CERT-IN FROM RTI ACT:
Why in the News?
- The Union government, through the Department of Personnel and Training, has excluded the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) from the purview of the Right to Information Act (RTI).
- CERT-In serves as the national nodal agency, responding to cybersecurity incidents and promoting security awareness among citizens.
- It operates under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
Source: VidhyaMitra
Exemption for Intelligence and Security Organizations
- RTI Act exempts 27 intelligence and security organizations, including Intelligence Bureau, Research and Analysis Wing, and National Technical Research Organisation, from its provisions.
- The exemption, outlined in the Second Schedule of the RTI Act, applies to information related to allegations of corruption and human rights violations.
Recent Amendment
- The recent amendment to the Second Schedule, adds CERT-In to the list of exempted organizations, highlighting its critical role in addressing cyber threats.
- This follows the 2016 amendment when the Strategic Forces Command was included among the entities exempted from RTI.
Significance of CERT-In
- CERT-In, responsible for investigating major cyber attacks, played a crucial role in responding to the ransomware attack on AIIMS in November 2022.
The exemption underscores the government’s focus on strengthening cybersecurity measures and facilitating unimpeded responses to cyber threats.