Wake up call for city

Wake-up call for city?
The Times of India

Bangalore: The news of possible terrorist strikes has shaken police and software firms. Though there has not been a major strike in Bangalore over the years, the intelligence has information that extremists, including LTTE and Naxals, have taken shelter here. Police claim precautionary measures have been taken. The IT companies say it is up to the government to take up security steps.

It is govt’s job

Bangalore-based software firms: From an information security perspective, we are definitely ready to face any situation. However, from a physical security perspective, IT companies say that since matters like terrorist threat concerns the government, it should step up security measures.

No alert on LeT strike threat

Bangalore: The state intelligence bureau has not received any official alert on the possible terror strikes planned by Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists on software firms in the city.

Documents seized from three LeT militants who were shot dead by Delhi police in an encounter on Saturday night revealed the trio had visited some software firms in the city in December 2004 to plan attacks. A senior officer of the state intelligence bureau said apart from routine alerts from Central IB, the state has received no other alerts. However, the officer said he will contact his Delhi counterpart for more information.

Although there has not been a major strike in Bangalore over the years, the intelligence has information that extremists, including LTTE and Naxals, have taken shelter here. Police top brass admit defence establishments like DRDO, HAL and other key installations like Indian Institute of Science and major software firms could be a soft target. Precautionary measures have been taken, they added.

Former DG&IGP T. Madiyal said: “Bangalore being very important in several aspects including the location of defence establishments and major software firms, terrorist attacks cannot be ruled out.” Retired DG&IGP and former security advisor to the state T. Srinivasulu said: “ Bangalore cannot be ruled out as a soft target. It has vital installations and there is tremendous economic growth which extremists will attempt to cripple.”

In September 2002, ISItrained Imam Ali and his gang, part of Al-Mujahiddin were shot dead in an encounter in M.S. Ramaiah Layout. Sivarasan, mastermind behind former PM Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination, was shot in Konanakunte. Members of Deendar Anjuman, involved in the serial church blasts in South India were arrested from Bangalore.

BEEF UP SECURITY, SAY IT FIRMS

Bangalore: Software firms here were in for a shock when reports said Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists were planning to strike at some companies.

When The Times of India spoke to some well-known Bangalore-based companies on whether security was up to the mark in software companies, the response was unanimous: “You can run, but you can never hide.” While they are confident that such incidents will not impact businesses, a need for a bigger role on behalf of the government was also felt. However, none of them was willing to go on record.

A senior official of a top company said IT firms were ready to face any situation. Post-9/11, several have taken security measures to ensure data is safeguarded from a client’s perspective. So, from a business continuity standpoint, there are no issues.

But, from a physical security perspective, IT companies are not in a position to encounter such a situation. “The responsibility of law and order is with the government and they have to deal with it,” he said. Another company official too left it all to the government. “Though there is adequate protection, the role of intelligence wing has to go up.’’

Kiran Karnik, Nasscom president said: If Parliament can be attacked, if New York can be attacked, then a software company is a mild target. Companies can only beef up security... If any untoward incident were to happen, I am confident IT firms have robust technology to ensure business does not get affected.”