National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval participated in Friends of BRICS Meeting at Johannesburg today. The issue of cyber security was discussed at length in the meeting. In addition to BRICS, the Friends of BRICS countries which participated are Belarus, Burundi, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kazakhstan, and Cuba.
 
Mr Doval highlighted the need for collective efforts to deal with challenges emanating from cyber security. He said the Global South needs to overcome limitations of resources and India will always remain at the forefront working closely with the Global South in this endeavour.
 
The NSA highlighted that the gravity of cyber risks will increase exponentially with the advent of disruptive technologies such as AI, Big Data, and Internet of Things. He also stressed the linkages between cyber criminals and terrorists including the use of cyberspace for financing, money laundering, radicalizing, lone wolf attacks, recruitment, and secured communications.
 
Mr Doval also held several bilateral meetings with his counterparts from BRICS and Friends of BRICS countries.