TCS preps to shield clients from JLR-like cyberattack

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS) is piloting standardized cybersecurity practices for its largest clients, forming dedicated teams and fixed response procedures to limit damage from cyberattacks, as one of its marquee customers, Jaguar Land Rover, faces a potential $1 billion hit from a prolonged data breach.

- Ayaan Kartik & Jas Bardia

TCS pilots standardized practices after JLR hit.

(REUTER)

The breach halted production, exposed employee data, and has left the carmaker facing regulatory scrutiny and potential lawsuits.

According to at least two executives with knowledge of the matter, India's largest IT services firm is forming six dedicated teams, comprising about 150 people in total, to run pilots of fixed cybersecurity procedures to mitigate damage in case of a cyberattack.

These procedures include video validation of employees who are in-charge of technical IT support, deploying AI tools to track hacker movement within an IT system, and embedding additional cybersecurity tools to ensure network security, according to one of the people with knowledge of the matter.

"The results of these pilots will be shown to all our clients and then incorporated in their IT systems," said one of the executives privy to the developments.

An email sent to TCS on Wednesday seeking comments went unanswered.