A nationwide alert has been sounded as one of the largest hacker groups has announced an impending cyberattack on Indian websites and critical infrastructure.
The gravity of the situation is underlined by the fact that ministries and departments are now actively engaged in enhancing their cybersecurity measures to stop any unauthorised access. They have been instructed to adhere to Cyber Hygiene Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) and perform necessary tasks to safeguard data from potential hacking or breaches.
Central agencies are particularly vigilant, anticipating that the health sector’s cyber infrastructure might be the primary target. This heightened concern is attributed to the sector remaining on the radar of such hacker groups, especially in the aftermath of the global pandemic. The agencies have proactively alerted relevant ministries and departments, urging them to execute tasks that will thwart any unauthorised access attempts.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, hacker groups from Pakistan and Indonesia, notorious for their cyber threats, have announced a ‘Cyber Party’ on December 11. This revelation was made on their Telegram channel, where they proudly claim a membership of over 4,000 individuals. The event, dubbed ‘Cyber Party,’ is positioned as a coordinated effort aimed at disrupting and compromising Indian digital infrastructure.
Notably, this same group had previously issued a “red notice” targeting a staggering 12,000 government websites. Their past activities reveal a broad scope, with documented attacks on countries like the United States, Sweden, and Israel. Motivations for their actions appear diverse, ranging from incidents hurting religious sentiments to targeted actions against specific communities.
The same group boasts of leaking data from Swedish social media users, acquiring health and social media data from Israel, and even claiming responsibility for leaking data from a police department in New York, USA. This disturbing pattern underscores the need for comprehensive and robust cybersecurity measures not only in India but globally.
Officials aware of the alert and threat said the evolving landscape of cyber threats poses a significant challenge to the security of digital infrastructure. The coordinated efforts of hacker groups, their audacious claims, and the potential implications for nations around the world call for a proactive and collaborative approach to fortify cybersecurity frameworks and respond effectively to emerging threats.
