Question : Theft in INS Vikrant

(a) whether the Government is aware of the theft of computer devices from the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant being built at the Cochin Shipyard Limited;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has conducted any inquiry in this regard and if so, the details and the outcome thereof;
(d) whether there is any loss of sensitive data and if so, the details thereof and the reasons for such a severe security lapse; and
(e) the details of corrective measures and the actions taken in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE (SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)
IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
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(a) to (e): On 16.9.2019, M/s Cochin Shipyard has reported theft of certain commercially off the shelf (COTS) hardware items from Multi-Function Consoles (MFCs) of Integrated Platform Management System onboard Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC). The investigations by Kerala Police and National Investigation Agency has been instituted.

The information contained in the stolen components are generic and non-sensitive. Security has already been enhanced at sensitive points in the yard as per the recommendations of Kerala Police and other Central Security Agencies.
To prevent future incidents of theft CCTV Cameras have been installed, compulsory bio-metric access control for all the personnel, hand held metal detectors at both gangways, baggage scanning at main gate, physical frisking of all personnel moving in and out of IAC instituted, 24 X 7 videography & Patrol, Armed CISF posts on flight deck, locking of sensitive compartments, installation of two net barrier etc. have been adopted. Besides, additional 46 CISF personnel to CSL by CISF headquarters have been approved for enhancing security exclusively at IAC.

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