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NewsDecode | Security & Cybersecurity | Mains Paper 3: Security Challenges and Their Management in Border Areas; Role of Cybersecurity and Cyber Threats
For Students:
From a UPSC perspective, focus on cybersecurity in national security, impact of cyber threats on critical infrastructure, and the government’s cyber resilience measures.
Why in the News?
A recent report by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has revealed that a critical defence unit was targeted by a ransomware attack in 2023. This incident underscores the vulnerability of India’s defence infrastructure to cyber threats and raises significant concerns about cybersecurity preparedness in critical sectors.
Understanding Ransomware Attacks and Their Implications
Ransomware is a type of malicious software that encrypts a victim's data, rendering it inaccessible until a ransom is paid. Cybercriminals often target critical infrastructure sectors, like defence and energy, to gain leverage due to the high value and sensitivity of the data.
Impact on National Security: The breach of a defence unit’s cybersecurity can compromise sensitive military information, weakening a nation’s security apparatus and strategic advantage. Such attacks pose a direct threat to sovereignty and can impact India’s readiness to respond to other national security challenges.