Get Ready For More Cyberattacks

Convergence can amplify the attack surface through a troika of increased digital access, rapid digitisation, and amalgamation of technologies

- DR S P KOCHHAR

As we navigate the labyrinth of the digital age, we encounter a phenomenon where once distinct and disparate technologies are progressively knitting themselves together into A a cohesive whole. This phenomenon, known as technology convergence, is an amalgamation of technologies, systems, and services, gradually adapting and merging to perform harmonising functions. With an estimated 759 million internet users as of May 2023 and a rapidly expanding digital ecosystem, India is experiencing technology convergence across a variety of sectors such as finance, healthcare, communications, and entertainment. While this process brings significant opportunities, it also poses unique challenges to India's security and privacy landscape, due to the blurring boundaries of technologies and their emerging security implications.

EXPANDED ATTACK SURFACE

Technology convergence in the Indian landscape has drastically amplified the attack surface through a combination of increased digital access, rapid digitisation of services, and the amalgamation of technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (Al), Machine Learning (ML), 5G networks, and Cloud Computing.

With its burgeoning digital population and widespread adoption of loT devices, India is a prime example of how this expansion can occur. According to Statista, an estimated two billion loT devices existed in India as of 2021, and this number is set to exponentially rise to a staggering 25 billion by 2030. These loT devices range from personal gadgets like smartphones and wearable tech to home automation systems and healthcare devices. However, many of these devices lack adequate security measures, thereby posing a significant security risk. For instance, the absence of robust authentication methods, outdated software, and the use of default credentials can make these devices easy targets for cybercriminals, providing them a foothold in larger networks.