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IAF takes adequate measures ensuring digital security, no threats from MoU with Uber

NewsIAF takes adequate measures ensuring digital security, no threats from MoU with Uber

The data is encrypted in such a manner that it is almost impossible to break the code. AES-256 encryption is extremely secure.

New Delhi: The recent controversy over an agreement between Indian Air Force (IAF) and a foreign based leading cab aggregator has created a huge debate on national security but defence officials say that the armed forces take adequate measures ensuring digital security in such agreements.

The officials also confirm that the MoU still remains intact.

Such agreements when done with foreign based entities are planned in a holistic manner ensuring that no data breach could happen while the data is being stored using Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)-256 bit encryption.

The IAF entered into an agreement with US-based cab service provider Uber on 18 October to offer convenient transportation options for Air Force personnel and their families.
An MoU was also signed between the IAF and Uber last month. But the matter has now sparked controversy on the issue of data protection, location tracking risks, and sharing and access of sensitive information by third-party apps.

Highly placed sources talking to The Sunday Guardian said “It is not right to claim that we (IAF) would go ahead with any such agreement which could jeopardise national security. We are well aware with the functioning and importance of digital security and cyber hygiene.”

He also said that the option to have such an agreement was open for two leading app based cab aggregators but at the end of the day, the agreement was finally signed with Uber.

On data protection, he said that “People talking about data leak and loopholes to national security with reference to this MoU should also think about the information that we share when we use food delivery apps like Zomato, Big Basket or other apps like Amazon and others. To say that the location of the concerned officer would be leaked is not the correct argument. The data is encrypted in such a manner that it is almost impossible to break the code. AES-256 encryption is extremely secure and is being used by banks and many other important departments.”

Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)-256 bit encryption provides a high level of security through a combination of strong algorithms, effective key management, and robust encryption processes, making it a preferred choice for protecting sensitive information.
Although the matter is now getting a lot of media attention but a similar kind of an MoU was signed with the Indian Navy last year but no such controversy was created back then.
Indian Air Force on October 18 signed an agreement with Uber to provide “reliable, convenient, and safe transportation services for IAF personnel, veterans and families.”
The MoU signing ceremony took place on the presence of senior officials of the IAF and Uber.

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