The government on Tuesday finalised and put in public domain a security manual for private sector defence manufacturing units. The manual prescribes guidelines for physical, documents, IT and other security measures to be put in place by such units.
This security manual prescribes minimum standards of security and other safeguards required to be put in place by the licensee in the interest of national safety and security.
Now, defence products would be categorised in three categories such as A, B & C ? category A would involve products which require highest level of security, category B would involve a medium-level of security and category C would require a minimum level of security.
Immediately after the manual comes into force, IB/ MHA would undertake the first security audit of all the licensed private companies in the defence sector and based on the experience/ feedback of IB/ MHA, the manual may be revised, if required. The manual may be revised every two years after consultation with the MHA, IB, Armed Forces, industry, etc.