Digitisation to accelerate, data security a priority: Alphons

Minister of State for IT and Electronics Alphons Kannanthanam today said the pace of digitisation in the country will accelerate going forward, but challenges like data security will have to be dealt with.
"Digitisation will accelerate in a big way. Digitisation is all about citizen empowerment...," Alphons told reporters after taking charge of IT Ministry.
Alphons, a bureaucrat-turned-politician who is also the new Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism further said the country is moving towards digital and electronic transactions.
"I myself hardly carry cash...We all need to move towards the digital and more secure forms of transaction...Digital transaction," he said.

When asked about the challenges that digitisation will throw up, Alphons said given the surge in data availability, "security is a huge challenge".
Digital India - the flagship program of IT Ministry is aimed at transforming India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.
The program aims to provide thrust in areas such as public internet access, broadband highways, electronics manufacturing, IT for jobs, and universal access to mobile connectivity amongst others.