In today’s digital age, boosting India’s cyber resilience and security has become more crucial than ever. With the rapid expansion of the internet and the increasing reliance on digital platforms, the risk of cyber threats like hacking, data breaches, and online fraud has grown significantly. Strengthening cyber resilience means ensuring that India’s digital infrastructure can withstand and quickly recover from such attacks, keeping both individuals and businesses safe. By focusing on enhancing security measures and creating awareness about online safety, India can better protect its citizens and economy from the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.
Tags: GS – 3, Science & Technology- Cyber Security– Cyber Warfare– Challenges to Internal Security – Communication Networks
Context:
- In 2024, digital threats have intensified with the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), including Generative AI and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).
- Recent events, like the global disruption from a Microsoft Windows glitch, highlight vulnerabilities in our digital infrastructure.
- For India, evolving threats such as AI-enabled deep fakes and sophisticated cyber attacks on critical infrastructure are growing more complex.
- Both public and private sectors must prioritise advanced protective measures and cultivate digital vigilance to safeguard national security and privacy.
Current Major Cyber Threats Facing India:
- Ransomware Rampage:
- Overview: India has seen a notable rise in ransomware attacks, particularly affecting critical sectors like healthcare.
- Key Incidents:
- Quick Heal detected over 48,000 instances of the WannaCry ransomware attack.
- The All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, faced a significant ransomware attack in November 2022.
- The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) experienced at least 6,000 hacking attempts.
- Implication: These incidents highlight the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures in critical sectors.
- Phishing Paradox:
- Overview: Phishing attacks have surged, with the finance sector being the primary target.
- Statistics:
- Over 79 million phishing attacks were recorded in India in 2023.
- Notable campaigns targeted State Bank of India users through fraudulent SMS messages.
- Implication: There is a critical need for improved user education and advanced email security solutions.
- Cloud Conundrum:
- Overview: With the rapid adoption of cloud technologies, cloud security threats have emerged as a major concern.
- Key Incident:
- In 2023, a data breach at Air India exposed the personal data of 4.5 million passengers, attributed to vulnerabilities in its cloud service provider’s systems.
- Implication: This highlights the necessity for robust cloud security strategies, including proper configuration and continuous monitoring.
- IoT Invasion:
- Overview: The growth of the IoT market has brought significant security challenges.
- Key Finding:
- Researchers identified vulnerabilities in millions of smart meters, potentially allowing manipulation of power consumption data.
- Implication: This underscores the need for stringent security standards and regular updates for IoT devices.
- Supply Chain Siege:
- Overview: India’s digital supply chains have faced increased attacks, revealing software supply chain vulnerabilities.
- Key Incident:
- A SolarWinds-like attack on an IT services giant in 2023 demonstrated the cascading effects of such breaches.
- Implication: This emphasises the need for rigorous vendor risk management and software integrity verification.
- Crypto Crimes Wave:
- Overview: Cryptocurrency theft has escalated, with significant increases in stolen assets.
- Statistics:
- In 2021, approximately $3.2 billion was stolen, marking a 516% increase from 2020.
- The WazirX Crypto Heist compromised 45% of the platform’s assets.
- Implication: Stronger regulations and enhanced cybersecurity measures for crypto exchanges are needed.
- Deepfake Dilemma:
- Overview: There has been a dramatic increase in deep fake videos, with political misinformation being a major issue.
- Key Incident:
- A deep fake video of an Indian politician making inflammatory statements during the 2024 elections caused significant social unrest.
- Implication: There is an urgent need for deepfake detection technologies and public awareness about digital media literacy.
- Lack of Cybersecurity Professionals:
- Overview: India faces a severe shortage of cybersecurity professionals.
- Statistics:
- There is a deficit of 800,000 cybersecurity experts, particularly in emerging technologies like AI and cloud security.
- Implication: This shortage hampers the implementation of effective cybersecurity measures and incident response capabilities.
- Honey Trap Hazard:
- Overview: Honey trapping has emerged as a significant cyber threat, targeting high-profile individuals.
- Key Incidents:
- In 2023, the Indian Army reported a dramatic increase in honey trapping attempts, including the detention of a DRDO officer suspected of leaking missile testing information.
- Implication: This trend highlights the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive individuals and information
Key Government Initiatives Related to Cybersecurity in India:
- National Cyber Security Policy:
- Objective: To safeguard cyberspace, enhance capabilities to prevent and respond to cyber threats, and minimise damages through coordinated efforts across institutions, technology, and processes.
- Strategies:
- Protection of information and infrastructure.
- Development of response mechanisms for cyber attacks.
- Coordination among institutional structures and stakeholders.
- Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C):
- Purpose: Provides a unified framework for law enforcement agencies to address cyber crimes.
- Components:
- National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit.
- National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
- National Cyber Crime Training Centre.
- Cyber Crime Ecosystem Management Unit.
- National Cyber Crime Research and Innovation Centre.
- National Cyber Crime Forensic Laboratory Ecosystem.
- Platform for Joint Cyber Crime Investigation Team.
- Computer Emergency Response Team – India (CERT-In):
- Role: Under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), CERT-In collects, analyses, and disseminates information on cyber incidents, and issues alerts on cybersecurity threats.
- Cyber Surakshit Bharat Initiative:
- Objective: To raise awareness about cybercrimes and enhance safety measures for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and IT staff across government departments.
- Cyber Swachhta Kendra (Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre):
- Launch Year: 2017.
- Purpose: To secure cyberspace by detecting and notifying users of botnet infections and malware, thereby facilitating system cleaning and security.
- National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC):
- Purpose: To protect Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) in key sectors such as power, banking, telecom, transport, government, and strategic enterprises.
- Definition of CII: A computer resource whose destruction would severely impact national security, economy, public health, or safety.
- Defence Cyber Agency (DCyA):
- Role: A tri-service command of the Indian Armed Forces responsible for addressing cybersecurity threats.
- Capabilities: Conducts cyber operations, including hacking, surveillance, data recovery, encryption, and countermeasures against cyber threats.
- Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023:
- Purpose: To protect individuals’ digital personal data and regulate its collection, storage, processing, and sharing.
Key Features:
- Establishes the Data Protection Board of India for enforcement.
- Requires explicit consent for data collection and processing.
- Mandates data fiduciaries to implement reasonable security safeguards.
Measures India Can Adopt to Bolster its Cybersecurity:
- Cyber Fusion Centers:
- Objective: Facilitate real-time threat intelligence sharing between public and private sectors.
- Actions:
- Establish regional Cyber Fusion Centers.
- Implement advanced AI and machine learning for predictive threat analysis.
- Create a centralised incident response team for rapid deployment.
- Conduct regular joint cyber exercises to enhance coordination.
- Digital Literacy Crusade:
- Objective: Enhance cybersecurity awareness across all demographics.
- Actions:
- Launch a nationwide digital literacy campaign.
- Integrate cybersecurity education into school curricula from secondary to higher education.
- Develop a mobile app with real-time cybersecurity tips and threat alerts.
- Conduct cyber hygiene workshops in rural areas with local languages and relatable scenarios.
- Partner with social media influencers to promote cybersecurity awareness among youth.
- Strengthening Current Data Protection Framework:
- Objective: Enhance the effectiveness of data protection laws.
- Actions:
- Strengthen the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023.
- Incorporate provisions for AI-powered breaches and impose stricter penalties.
- Enforce rigorous implementation and scrutiny of data protection measures.
- Secure-by-Design Initiative:
- Objective: Ensure security is integrated into software and hardware development.
- Actions:
- Promote a ‘Secure-by-Design’ approach across industries.
- Establish a national cybersecurity product certification program.
- Offer grants and funding for cybersecurity startups.
- Create a dedicated R&D fund for quantum-resistant cryptography.
- AI-Powered Cyber Defense:
- Objective: Leverage AI to enhance cybersecurity capabilities.
- Actions:
- Invest in AI-powered cybersecurity solutions tailored to India’s threat landscape.
- Implement machine learning algorithms for anomaly detection.
- Develop AI-driven threat hunting capabilities to identify and neutralise threats.
- Supply Chain Fortification:
- Objective: Secure the digital supply chain from vulnerabilities.
- Actions:
- Implement a comprehensive supply chain risk management framework.
- Conduct regular security assessments of third-party vendors.
- Develop a national database of trusted suppliers for government and critical sector procurement.
- Use blockchain technology for enhanced traceability in digital supply chains.
- Cloud Citadel-Securing India’s Digital Sky:
- Objective: Strengthen cloud security measures.
- Actions:
- Establish a national cloud security framework with stringent compliance requirements.
- Implement mandatory encryption for all cloud-stored data.
- Create a Cloud Security Operations Center to monitor and respond to threats.
- Deepface Defense:
- Objective: Combat the spread of deep fake content.
- Actions:
- Implement strict content verification protocols on major social media platforms.
- Create a rapid response team for addressing viral deep fakes during critical periods.
- Launch a public awareness campaign on identifying and reporting deepfakes.
- The Cyber Warrior Initiative:
- Objective: Address the shortage of cybersecurity professionals.
- Actions:
- Partner with universities to develop specialised cybersecurity curricula.
- Establish a national cybersecurity scholarship program.
- Create a cyber reserve force.
- Implement a national certification program and offer tax incentives for companies investing in employee cybersecurity training.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q.1 In India, under cyber insurance for individuals, which of the following benefits are generally covered, in addition to payment for the loss of funds and other benefits? (2020)
- Cost of restoration of the computer system in case of malware disrupting access to one’s computer
- Cost of a new computer if some miscreant wilfully damages it, if proved so
- Cost of hiring a specialised consultant to minimise the loss in case of cyber extortion
- Cost of defence in the Court of Law if any third-party files a suit
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1, 2 and 4 only
- 1, 3 and 4 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans: (b)
Q.2 In India, it is legally mandatory for which of the following to report on cyber security incidents? (2017)
- Service providers
- Data centres
- Body corporate
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (d)
Mains
Q:1 What are the different elements of cyber security? Keeping in view the challenges in cyber security, examine the extent to which India has successfully developed a comprehensive National Cyber Security Strategy. (2022)
Source: TH
FAQs
Q: What is cyber resilience and security?
- Answer: Cyber resilience and security refer to the ability of systems, networks, and organizations to protect themselves against cyberattacks and quickly recover if an attack happens. It’s about being prepared to defend against threats and minimizing damage when they occur.
Q: Why is cyber resilience important for India?
- Answer: Cyber resilience is crucial for India because the country is increasingly relying on digital infrastructure for everything from banking and communication to government services. Strong cyber resilience helps protect sensitive data, ensure the smooth running of essential services, and maintain public trust in digital systems.
Q: What are the common cyber threats India faces?
- Answer: Common cyber threats in India include hacking, phishing scams, ransomware attacks, and data breaches. These threats can target individuals, businesses, and government institutions, leading to financial loss, data theft, and disruption of services.
Q: How can India boost its cyber resilience?
- Answer: India can boost its cyber resilience by investing in advanced cybersecurity technologies, conducting regular security audits, and training personnel to recognize and respond to cyber threats. Encouraging collaboration between the government, private sector, and international partners is also essential for a robust cyber defense.
Q: What role do individuals play in improving cyber security?
- Answer: Individuals play a key role in cyber security by practicing safe online habits, such as using strong passwords, avoiding suspicious links, and keeping software up to date. By staying vigilant and informed, everyone can contribute to a safer digital environment in India.
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