VAR Panchayat

Create Awareness to Protect Cyber Threats

by VARINDIA 2017-04-26

Mobile networks are inherently secure and data is protected, but the lack of awareness around risks lurking in the cyberspace is posing new challenges

Internet is undoubtedly one of the greatest technological blessings of our time but we cannot overlook the possible threats such as hacking, cyber stalking, fraud, bullying and abuse. They are making headlines every day, and the incidence has only increased in the recent past. It is easier to identify such harms and mitigate the risks in real life, but in the virtual world very few understand how to identify and resolve these issues.

As service providers, the onus is on telecom operators to ensure that users not only benefit from being connected to the information superhighway, but they are also adequately equipped to protect themselves from falling prey to online harms.

The emphasis is not only to bring the new but old mobile users too within the folds of a connected world and also educate the next generation of users on safe Internet practices. As digitization touches every aspect of our life, it is important for all of us to acknowledge and understand the nature of threats we are exposed to and how to avoid them.

Digital Transformation through GSK

As users migrate from voice and feature phones to data and Internetenabled phones, the transition should be without fear and hesitation. To make this happen and to answer any question on the new way of connected life, Telenor Grahak Shiksha Kendras (GSK) or customer education hubs are playing an important role. There are nearly 400 GSKs across nine states where trained customer relation executives are educating customers on how to use an Internet-enabled mobile device and telling them about the benefits of being connected by taking precautions such as strong passwords and getting the privacy settings right.

Initiatives like Internet on Wheels, where the retail store comes to the doorsteps of customers. These are the first steps towards acquiring digital skills and also help customers understand Internet to use it more meaningfully.

Cyber Safety for Children

In 2012, when everyone was discussing faster Internet speeds and improving customer experience, a survey commissioned by the Telenor Group revealed that over 134 million children will come online by 2017 in India alone. However, given the pace of Internet growth in the last five years, this number will be far higher than any estimate. While this is an indication of how fast our younger generation is becoming part of the technology changes happening across the world, the survey also highlighted the low resilience among them when it came to online threats.

Proliferation of affordable mobile devices and easy access to Internet has exposed our kids to good as well as harmful content and practices. The survey indicated that in India every second child, who is using Internet, has faced some form of cyberbullying. In fact, cyberbullying has emerged as one of the major issues online and often it goes undetected as children do not discuss the issue with parents or teachers.

Realizing these vulnerabilities, in 2014 Telenor started a programme called WebWise in schools. These interactive workshops focus on creating awareness among students, teachers as well as parents. The interactive sessions include case-studies and practical information on how to surf the Internet safely, minimize potential harm on social media, be resilient to cyberbullying and even tips on how to set smart passwords. Till now, WebWise has reached to over 55,000 students in 102 schools across 14 cities.

Most of these efforts are voluntary in nature and not mandated by policy or regulation. If the industry is talking about an Internet-driven lifestyle, then we should create an environment where there is no hesitation or fear in embracing digitization. For example, as part of a global initiative, Telenor Group collaborated with the European Commission’s CEO Coalition to make Internet a better place for kids and worked with Interpol to become the first mobile operator in the world to introduce Child Sexual Abuse filters for mobile phones. In India too, Telenor has worked closely with the authorities to implement CSA filters to block any content related to child pornography and today these websites, as per the Interpol’s list, cannot be accessed on mobile networks in the country.

Telenor has been able to successfully drive cyber safety awareness amongst various sections of the society, while ensuring an enriching customer experience. These are small steps towards the larger goal that needs support from all stakeholders in the digital ecosystem.