The cyber security experts on Tuesday expressed concern over the rise in cases of cyber attacks in India and stressed the need for stronger measures to tackle the problem. The thoughts were shared during the launch of a report titled ‘The Invisible Hand’ by PRAHAR, an NGO, which focuses on such issues in the public domain which, if not addressed, can cause helplessness among Indian citizens.
According to PRAHAR statistical projections, India will attract nearly one trillion cyber attacks annually by 2033. By the time the country turns 100 in 2047, it will face a target of 17 trillion cyber attacks.
“This staggering scale underscores the urgent need for a robust, large-scale cyber defense apparatus to protect the nation,” the statement said.
Expressing serious concern about cyber attacks, Abhay Mishra, national convener and president of PRAHAR said there are two types of cyber attacks. The first involves traditional hackers exploiting system vulnerabilities for financial gain or disruption, he said.
“The second, more insidious form, targets citizens, recruiting them to engage in anti-national activities through manipulation, coercion or threats. Such tactics are most likely to be used in illegal betting applications,” he said.
The NGO’s report noted that in 2023, the country suffered more than 79 million cyber attacks, ranking third globally in terms of the number of such incidents. This marked a 15% increase over the previous year. The escalation continued until 2024, it added.
In the first quarter, the report indicated a sharp increase in cyber attacks, with more than 500 million incidents blocked in just three months, it added.
Anuj Agarwala renowned technical-legal expert and president of Cyber ​​Crime and Cyber ​​Law Research Centersaid: “Communities must be involved to influence our youth to deter them from falling prey to illegal social media platforms.”
Ex IPS officer Muktesh Chanderwho specializes in cybercrime investigation and technology management and holds a PhD in cyber security from IIT Delhi, said: “A situation has emerged where not only individual hackers or disgruntled people, but also state-sponsored actors and states are engaging in activities that sabotage important parameters of the economy”.
Snehil Dhalla distinguished criminologist and founder of Crimophobia, said, “Today, the reactive side of cyber security measures is exposed in India, while the proactive side of cyber security measures is missing. Our strategy today seeks to diminish or neutralize a threat.
“But we must go on the offensive. This is the era of surgical strikes and it is time to prepare for a surgical strike on interests that pose a threat to our nation,” Dhall said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also flagged the problem of fraudsters targeting people with the cyber crime of “digital arrests” and urged people to adopt the mantra of “stop, think and act” when faced with such a scam, saying that they steps will provide digital security for them.
In his monthly show ‘Mann ki Baat’ on Sunday, he said that investigating agencies are working with states to deal with the issue, but added that awareness is essential to protect yourself from this crime.
Cyber ​​security experts on Tuesday expressed concern over the rise in cases of cyber attacks in India and stressed the need for stronger measures to tackle the problem. The thoughts were shared during the launch of a report titled ‘The Invisible Hand’ by PRAHAR, an NGO, which focuses on such issues in the public domain which, if not addressed, can cause helplessness among Indian citizens.
According to PRAHAR statistical projections, India will attract nearly one trillion cyber attacks annually by 2033. By the time the country turns 100 in 2047, it will face a target of 17 trillion cyber attacks.
“This staggering scale underscores the urgent need for a robust, large-scale cyber defense apparatus to protect the nation,” the statement said.
Expressing serious concern about cyber attacks, Abhay Mishra, national convener and president of PRAHAR said there are two types of cyber attacks. The first involves traditional hackers exploiting system vulnerabilities for financial gain or disruption, he said.
“The second, more insidious form, targets citizens, recruiting them to engage in anti-national activities through manipulation, coercion or threats. Such tactics are most likely to be used in illegal betting applications,” he said.
The NGO’s report noted that in 2023, the country suffered more than 79 million cyber attacks, ranking third globally in terms of the number of such incidents. This marked a 15% increase over the previous year. The escalation continued until 2024, it added.
In the first quarter, the report indicated a sharp increase in cyber attacks, with more than 500 million incidents blocked in just three months, it added.
Anuj Agarwal, a renowned techno-legal expert and president of the Cyber ​​Crime and Cyber ​​Law Research Center said, “Communities must be involved to look after our youth to deter them from falling prey to illegal social media platforms “.
Former IPS officer Muktesh Chander, who specializes in cybercrime investigation and technology management and holds a PhD in cyber security from IIT Delhi, said: “A situation has arisen where not only individual hackers or disgruntled people but also actors and states sponsored by the state. engages in activities that sabotage important parameters of the economy”.
Snehil Dhall, a distinguished criminologist and founder of Crimophobia, said, “Today, the reactive side of cyber security measures is exposed in India, while the proactive side of cyber security measures is missing. Our strategy today seeks to diminish or neutralize a threat. .
“But we must go on the offensive. This is the era of surgical strikes and it is time to prepare for a surgical strike on interests that pose a threat to our nation,” Dhall said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also flagged the issue of scams targeting individuals with the cyber crime of “digital arrests” and urged people to adopt the mantra of “stop, think and act” when faced with such a scam, saying that these steps want to give them digital security.
In his monthly show ‘Mann ki Baat’ on Sunday, he said that investigating agencies are working with states to deal with the issue, but added that awareness is essential to protect yourself from this crime.