Relevance: GS III (Science & Technology – Cyber Security) & GS II (IR) | Source: The Hindu

The News:

• Artificial Intelligence firm Anthropic has launched Project Glasswing in partnership with a coalition of Western tech giants (like AWS, Google, and Microsoft).
• The aim is to secure global open-source software using an advanced, unreleased AI model called Claude Mythos Preview. This AI can autonomously hunt and fix complex cyber threats overnight.

The Administrative Concern (The “Cyber Cartel”):

• Access to this powerful AI tool is strictly restricted to this private corporate coalition.
• This creates a private monopoly over global digital defence. It makes a handful of foreign tech companies the ultimate gatekeepers of cyber security.

Significance for India:

• India’s core Digital Public Infrastructure (like UPI and Aadhaar) relies heavily on open-source code.
• Relying entirely on foreign private corporations to secure this code threatens India’s sovereign security. The Indian administration must urgently fund and develop indigenous, defensive AI systems.

UPSC Value Box

With reference to global cyber security frameworks and Indian digital protection, consider the following statements:

1. A “Zero-Day” vulnerability refers to a newly discovered software flaw for which no official patch or fix currently exists.
2. The National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) is a statutory body established under the Information Technology Act, 2000.
3. Project Glasswing is an inter-governmental initiative launched by the United Nations to regulate Artificial Intelligence in warfare.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (a)