FICCI, KPMG present action plan to build smart cities

Trade body FICCI and consulting major KPMG on Friday presented a five-point action plan for smart cities to keep pace with cybersecurity needs, and build a cyber-resilient and trusted environment across the entire value chain. Both organisations said that formal guidance based on well-defined cybersecurity policy and a structured security organisation with clearly defined roles and responsibilities will be important for governing the cybersecurity posture and reducing the cyber risks.

Stakeholders and users in smart cities ecosystem will expect security to be built into the system. Technology architects should follow an 'always-on' principle that provides high levels of control with appropriate fail-safes. Smart cities should carefully evaluate their third-party suppliers, identify qualified partners, and invest in integrating security, privacy, and trust across the ecosystem.

Resilience and trust will be established through validation of cyber practices, ensuring compliance and consistent engagement with smart city stakeholders and citizens. This will enhance cyber confidence of citizens and stakeholders on smart city functioning. Engagement across industry, knowledge bodies and regulatory groups is essential to standardise security measures. The collaboration will reduce ambiguity and accelerate the ability to implement secure products and services within a sustainable smart cities ecosystem.

The suggestions contained in a report titled ‘Cybersecurity in Smart Cities’ were released at the 3rd Smart Cities Summit 2019: Urban Innovation and Future Cities. Shankar Aggarwal, former Secretary at the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, said while addressing the summit that there is a need for establishing a mechanism--both at the government and private sector--to take decisions in time pertaining to the development of smart cities. "In order to develop smart cities, it is imperative that latest technology should be used not only in the development of infrastructure but also in social sectors like healthcare, education, and culture," he said.

Ajay Pandey, the chairperson of FICCI's Urban Infra and Smart Cities Committee, said India is on the cusp of next stage transformation and urban transformation is growing at a fast pace. He called for adopting strategies to merge infrastructure with the cultural values of cities under development.

(With inputs from agencies.)