278 Percent Rise of State-Sponsored Cyberattacks in India

Cyberattacks in opposition to India have elevated dramatically in the previous couple of years, rising by a startling 278% in just 3 years. These attacks, often referred to as countryside cyberattacks, are typified by their exceptional sophistication, organization, and entry to considerable assets. Governments and authority companies organize or fund them. They pose a serious risk to cybersecurity because they take full use of the financial resources and abundant resources found in rural areas.

These figures come from a study conducted by Recorded Future, a US company that focuses on monitoring global cyber threats. Recorded Future’s findings shed light on the increasing threat landscape India faces from nation-state actors. In this blog, we will discuss the key insights regarding these state-sponsored cyberattacks against India, their implications, and the driving forces behind this surge. 

Risk of Cyberattacks Sponsored by States

Governments or government agencies are the ones who plan or assist nation-state cyberattacks. The distinguishing factor of these attacks is their utilization of a nation-state’s extensive financial and resource capabilities, evidenced by their high level of organization, sophistication, and available support.

Growing geopolitical tensions, especially with international locations like China and Pakistan, are the likely motive for the spike in nation-sponsored cyberattacks on India. Equipped with cutting-edge cyber competencies, India has been increasing the scope of its state-backed cyber monitoring and hacking operations. The Indian authorities can take advantage of this to bolster its cyber safety abilities.

Threat actors have shown to be resourceful, even though they may not be as sophisticated as their Chinese or Russian rivals. They employ techniques such as decoy documents containing weaponized macros and social engineering attacks. To counter these state-sponsored cyber threats effectively, the Indian government needs to strengthen its cyber defense and cyber deterrence capabilities.

Enhancing India’s Cybersecurity Defences

To mitigate the growing threat of state-sponsored cyberattacks, the Indian government should consider the following strategies: 

Investing in Cybersecurity

Allocate more resources to cybersecurity, including funding for research and development, training, and infrastructure. A robust cybersecurity budget is essential for building resilience against cyber threats.

International Collaboration

Collaborate with other nations and international organizations to share threat intelligence and coordinate responses to state-sponsored threats. Cyberattacks are a global issue, and a collective effort is often more effective than a solitary one.

Comprehensive Cyber Strategy

Develop a clear and comprehensive cyber strategy that encompasses both defensive and offensive capabilities. To stay up with the always-changing cyber threat scenario, this plan should be revised regularly.

Cybersecurity Awareness

Promote cybersecurity awareness among the public and private sectors. Educating individuals and organizations about the importance of cybersecurity and best practices for protection is crucial in strengthening India’s overall cyber resilience.

The Unseen Threat

State-sponsored cyber attacks often operate under the radar, as they are indirectly funded and executed through complex networks to maintain plausible deniability. This blurred line between privately-run hacker groups and government organizations makes it challenging to pinpoint the true source of these attacks, thereby safeguarding diplomatic relations between nations.

The goals of cyberattacks are diverse, ranging from gathering intelligence about a nation’s military activities, political infrastructure, or corporate secrets to exploiting systems for financial gain and identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities within a nation’s technological infrastructure.

The state-sponsored cyberattacks are driven by a multitude of goals, each serving the interests of the nation. Some of the key objectives include:

Gathering Intelligence

Threat actors seek to gain access to sensitive information about a targeted nation’s military activities, political infrastructure, or corporate secrets. This intelligence can be leveraged to shape foreign policy, military strategy, or economic decisions. By infiltrating a nation’s digital networks, they aim to uncover closely guarded secrets that provide a strategic advantage.

Exploiting Systems for Financial Gain

State-sponsored cyberattacks are not limited to espionage; they also have a financial component. These attacks may be used to infiltrate financial systems, disrupt financial stability, or steal funds. The motivation behind such actions can range from economic warfare to funding covert operations and circumventing sanctions.

Identifying and Exploiting Vulnerabilities

State-sponsored cyber actors often target a nation’s technological infrastructure to identify and exploit weaknesses. As part of this procedure, vital infrastructure—like communication or power networks—may be probed to find weaknesses that might be used against it in the case of an emergency. It also entails creating tools and cyberweapons that can be used as needed.

Promoting Political Agendas

Cyberattacks can be used as tools to advance political agendas. Nation-states may target the digital infrastructure of other countries to disrupt elections, spread disinformation, or manipulate public opinion. These actions can have far-reaching consequences, influencing the course of political events within the targeted nation.

Why is there an increase in demand for VAPT Services?

Strong cybersecurity measures are becoming more and more necessary as threats continue to change. Any thorough cybersecurity plan must include Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) services, particularly in a country like India where cyber threats are on the rise.

VAPT services encompass two key elements: vulnerability assessment and penetration testing. These services are instrumental in identifying and rectifying vulnerabilities within an organization’s digital infrastructure and applications, making them invaluable in the ongoing battle against state-sponsored cyberattacks. Let’s explore the role of VAPT services and their significance in the face of this mounting cyber threat.

Identifying Vulnerabilities

Vulnerability assessment, as the name suggests, involves a systematic evaluation of an organization’s digital assets to pinpoint potential weaknesses. This process includes scanning networks, applications, and systems for vulnerabilities that malicious actors could exploit. By uncovering these vulnerabilities proactively, organizations can take corrective action before cyberattacks seize the opportunity.

Enhance Cyber Security

By identifying and rectifying vulnerabilities, organizations can fortify their digital defenses, making it considerably more challenging for cyber adversaries to breach their systems. This is particularly vital when considering the nation’s critical infrastructure and national security.

Safeguarding Critical Infrastructure

VAPT services are particularly vital in safeguarding critical infrastructure such as power grids, communication networks, and financial systems. Identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities in these areas is crucial for national stability and security.

Cyber Resilience

The ability to withstand and recover from cyberattacks is paramount. VAPT services help organizations build resilience by uncovering vulnerabilities and assessing their potential impact, thus enabling the development of effective incident response plans.

Conclusion

India’s escalating battle against state-sponsored cyberattacks demands a multifaceted approach. With a surge of these sophisticated threats, the need for strengthening cybersecurity defenses is paramount. The country must make investments in cybersecurity resources, promote international collaboration, develop a comprehensive cyber strategy that incorporates offensive and defensive capabilities, and increase public awareness of cybersecurity issues to build a resilient digital ecosystem in order to counter these global threats.

State-sponsored cyberattacks provide an invisible threat that highlights the importance of vulnerability assessment and penetration testing (VAPT) services. In the face of growing cyber threats, these services provide a proactive way to detect and fix vulnerabilities, strengthen cyberdefenses, protect vital infrastructure, and foster cyber resilience. India can safeguard its cybersecurity posture, vital resources, national security, and economic interests in the digital era by implementing these steps.

Kratikal, a CERT-In empanelled organization offers comprehensive cybersecurity solutions to protect companies from a range of cyberattacks, with a focus on protecting web applications from possible threats. Businesses that work with Kratikal may proactively detect and fix security flaws, preventing malevolent hackers from taking advantage of them. 

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