Modification in Cyber Security and Cyber resilience framework of Qualified Registrars to an Issue and Share Transfer Agents (QRTAs)
Summary
This circular modifies the cyber security framework for Qualified Registrars to an Issue and Share Transfer Agents by mandating incident reporting within six hours. It requires quarterly reports on cyber incidents and vulnerabilities to be submitted to SEBI within fifteen days of each quarter's end. The provisions are issued under Section 11(1) of the SEBI Act, 1992, and come into immediate effect.
Text
In partial modification to Annexure A of SEBI circular dated 08 September 2017 the paragraph-51 shall be read as under: All Cyber-attacks, threats, cyber-incidents and breaches experienced by QRTAs shall be reported to SEBI within 6 hours of noticing / detecting such incidents or being brought to notice about such incidents. The incident shall also be reported to Indian Computer Emergency Response team (CERT-In) in accordance with the guidelines / directions issued by CERT-In from time to time. Additionally, the QRTAs, whose systems have been identified as “Protected system” by National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) shall also report the incident to NCIIPC. The quarterly reports containing information on cyber-attacks, threats, cyber-incidents and breaches experienced by QRTAs and measures taken to mitigate vulnerabilities, threats and attacks including information on bugs/ vulnerabilities/threats that may be useful for other QRTAs shall be submitted to SEBI within 15 days from the quarter ended June, September, December and March of every year. The above information shall be shared through the dedicated e-mail id: rta@sebi.gov.in.
The format for reporting as prescribed in the circular dated 15 October 2019 remains unchanged and is attached as Annexure B.
QRTAs shall take necessary steps to put in place systems for implementation of the circular.
The provisions of the Circular shall come into force with immediate effect.
This circular is being issued in exercise of powers conferred under Section 11 (1) of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 to protect the interests of investors in securities and to promote the development of, and to regulate the securities market.
Source: SecMarx — Modification in Cyber Security and Cyber resilience framework of Qualified Registrars to an Issue and Share Transfer Agents (QRTAs). Verbatim text is public record; SecMarx structuring (linkage to applying orders) is cited to us.