“Cyber-Warfare” is a form of warfare in which a cyber-attack is coordinated with intentions to disrupt the operability of vital computer systems supporting the infrastructure of a nation. However, there is a debate on defining the term cyber-warfare, as no cyber-attack or cyber-based offensive operation to date could be described as a war.
Sir, I am no authority to comment on if India is able to counter offensive cyber-attacks from China. However, in September 2018, the Defence Cyber Agency (DCA)—a tri-service command of the Indian Armed Forces was established, with primary objective to handle cyber security threat and sharpen India’s cyber offensive capabilities.
We must understand that cyber technology has its limitations, and no nation is 100 per cent “cyber-attack proof”. The Ransomware attack on the US Colonial gas pipeline is an example, where cyber-attack occurred despite the robust cyber security infrastructure in place.