India to ban US network software?

Robert Harley (Robert.Harley@inria.fr)
Thu, 14 Jan 1999 19:27:33 +0100 (MET)


URL:
http://www.economictimes.com/120199/lead2.htm

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THE Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has issued a
`red alert' against all network security software developed in the
US. And the Central Vigilance Commissioner, N Vittal, is following up
on the warning - he might make it mandatory for all Indian banks and
financial institutions to buy only software developed in India.

The DRDO's concern about US-developed software stems from one basic
insecurity - the data traffic and network security software that comes
from the US can be easily hacked into and could prove to be a security
hazard. Currently US software vendors can export only those
"encryption software products" that can be `broken' by the US National
Security Agency. This makes the quality of the US software exported to
India doubtful from a security point of view.

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RJH