CYBER ESPIONAGE STRIKES INDIA'S DEFENCE AND ENERGY SECTORS

Data amounting to 8.81 GB was exfiltrated by the hackers from Indian computer systems, according to analysts with

- ABHINANDAN MISHRA

Last year, Government of India announced its decision to buy additional Sukhoi fighter jets to augment its Air Force capabilities in wake of the volatility along its northeastern borders.

This announcement started a malevolent chain reaction that was initiated by entities that are yet not identified, in which, among other things, Indian Air Force officials were deceived by hackers which led to compromise and stealing of critical data.

According to analysts with EclecticIQ, a Netherlands based company that operates in the field of threat intelligence technology, this cyber espionage, which was first identified by the company in the first week of March, data to the amount of 8.81 GB was exfiltrated by the hackers from Indian computer systems. 

These include emails of CERT-In, credentials and server details from various Indian government entities, cover letters, personal details of Army personnel, and corporate documents from various Indian energy companies.

Computer Emergency Response Team-India (CERTIn), which works under the command of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, is the nodal agency to

deal with cyber security incidents in India and is tasked with strengthening securityrelated defence of the Indian Internet domain.