Cyber experts express concern about data security in India
The accelerated pace of digital transformation and technological advancements in India has led to heightened concerns among cyber experts regarding the security of the extensive volume of data that the country will need to manage, particularly in light of potential threats posed by neighboring adversaries and the escalating sophistication of fraudulent activities.
Emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts and the establishment of a comprehensive ecosystem to address technology-driven threats, experts have underscored the critical role of coordinated initiatives among Indian technologists and business executives to effectively counter cyber threats and ensure the robust security of digital infrastructure.
The recent trends in cyberattacks, as highlighted during the Singapore Cyber Week 2023, have highlighted the vulnerabilities in various sectors, including Healthcare, Education/Research, Utilities, Retail, Hospitality, Manufacturing, and Transportation, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures across diverse industries.
With the average frequency of attacks on each organization in India recorded at 2,157 times per week over the past six months, as compared to the global average of 1,139 attacks per organization, the threat landscape continues to evolve, necessitating a more comprehensive and adaptive approach to cybersecurity.
As cyber threats become increasingly intricate and challenging to discern, cybersecurity professionals, such as Vivek Gullapalli, Chief Information Security Officer, APAC at Check Point Software Technologies, have emphasized the complexity of managing and mitigating sophisticated cyber threats.
These challenges call for a proactive and multifaceted cybersecurity strategy that encompasses advanced threat intelligence, robust defense mechanisms, and continuous monitoring and analysis to ensure the resilience and integrity of digital infrastructure in the face of emerging cyber threats. By prioritizing collaborative efforts and the adoption of innovative security measures, India can bolster its cybersecurity defenses and effectively safeguard its digital assets and information networks from potential risks and vulnerabilities.
The call for increased board and management involvement in cybersecurity initiatives, as advocated by Vivek Gullapalli, reflects the growing recognition of the imperative for a comprehensive and integrated approach to cybersecurity that extends beyond the purview of an organization’s IT team. By emphasizing the need for a holistic understanding of the evolving threat landscape and the adoption of a prevention-first cybersecurity strategy, Gullapalli underscores the critical role of collaboration and proactive engagement among key stakeholders, including the board and management, in safeguarding the organization’s digital assets and ensuring uninterrupted business operations in the face of potential cyber threats.
Recognizing the vulnerabilities exposed by the accelerated digital transformation in the healthcare sector, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gullapalli highlights the critical importance of implementing robust security measures and a security-first approach to mitigate potential security gaps and vulnerabilities in digital infrastructure. With the increasing emphasis on zero-touch digital solutions and the transition from paper-based systems, the healthcare industry, both in India and globally, must prioritize the integration of comprehensive cybersecurity protocols to enhance resilience and protect sensitive patient data from potential cyber threats and unauthorized access.
By advocating for a collaborative and proactive approach to cybersecurity that involves a deep understanding of the organization’s unique business ecosystem and potential threat actors, Gullapalli underscores the critical role of strategic planning and proactive risk management in fortifying the cybersecurity defenses of organizations across various sectors. Through the adoption of a prevention-first mindset and the implementation of robust security protocols, businesses can establish a resilient and secure digital infrastructure that safeguards their operations and ensures the protection of critical data and information assets.
The passage of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, in August represents a significant milestone for India’s data protection landscape, instilling a greater sense of confidence among Multi-National Corporations (MNCs) operating in the country. Ashish Thapar, Vice President and Head of cybersecurity, APAC, at NTT Ltd., highlights the evolving regulatory compliance requirements across various sectors, including Government, Defence, RBI, and SEBI, underscoring the concerted efforts to enhance data protection measures and bolster cybersecurity resilience. Despite commendable progress, Thapar emphasizes the need for continuous improvements and proactive measures to counter the evolving tactics of cybercriminals, who consistently raise the bar and expand their fraudulent networks, posing persistent challenges to data security and privacy.
The collaboration between India and other global forums, such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) and G20, holds promising potential for strengthening cybersecurity capabilities and fostering international cooperation in addressing critical infrastructure threats. Thapar underscores the importance of ongoing efforts within the Quad framework to establish an information-sharing agreement, enabling member countries to enhance their cyber-resilience and collectively respond to emerging cybersecurity challenges.
Kunal Anand, CTO and CISO of Imperva, reinforces the significance of collaborative initiatives between institutions such as RBI and the Financial Services Industry to develop robust security mechanisms and address cybersecurity concerns proactively. Highlighting the government’s commitment to fostering a self-reliant and resilient digital ecosystem, Anand emphasizes the strategic importance of creating a conducive environment for Venture Capital and attracting talents to India, thereby fostering a vibrant technological landscape driven by a ‘security-first’ approach. With a growing focus on nurturing local talent and fostering innovation, India is well-positioned to establish itself as a global hub for advanced technological solutions and cybersecurity expertise, thereby reinforcing its competitive edge in the digital era.
Kunal Anand highlights the government’s proactive approach in bolstering India’s data infrastructure by spearheading the establishment of new data centers within the country, emphasizing the critical importance of securing supply chains and ensuring robust data protection measures across the digital ecosystem. With a focus on integrating the best practices from global technology landscapes, India is strategically positioning itself to become a leading hub for technological innovation and data security, a move that aligns with the nation’s aspirations to emerge as a global technology powerhouse.
Dr. Aditya Sood emphasizes the significant potential for a surge in successful startups in India, propelled by substantial investments flowing into the sector. Despite the promising growth prospects, Sood underscores the multifaceted risks associated with managing a rapidly evolving technological landscape, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of the complex cybersecurity challenges prevalent in the Indian market. He emphasizes the critical need for comprehensive data visibility and robust cybersecurity strategies at the highest levels to effectively manage and mitigate the growing cybersecurity threats and data management complexities, which have become a pressing concern within the modern digital ecosystem.
The borderless nature of cyber threats underscores the critical challenge of managing cybersecurity risks effectively, irrespective of legislative frameworks and compliance mandates. As cyberattacks can originate from any part of the world, cybersecurity experts emphasize the need for a comprehensive and globally collaborative approach to cybersecurity, fostering international cooperation and information sharing to effectively counter emerging cyber threats and protect critical data and digital assets. With a comprehensive and integrated approach to cybersecurity, combined with robust data protection measures and proactive risk management strategies, India can strengthen its cybersecurity resilience and establish itself as a global leader in safeguarding digital assets and ensuring a secure digital ecosystem for businesses and individuals alike.
