Rising cyberattacks challenge India’s security

October 21, 2025

Abhishek Vij

As India’s digital power grows, the internet’s power is increasing, and we move from 5G to 6G, cyberattacks are also on the rise. From banks to stock exchanges, no one is immune to these cyberattacks. KYC data is being stolen. New methods are being used to capture OTP numbers. Now, data from the National Stock Exchange has shocked everyone, revealing that it faces 170 million cyberattacks daily. Previously, it was reported that during Operation Sindoor, the highest number of cyberattacks in a single day was 400 million.

It is true that our stock exchanges’ personnel are vigilant. A coordinated effort using machinery and advanced technology has ensured uninterrupted operations and prevented significant damage. But NSE must be secured if we want investment, trade, and production to continue growing, and we reach the growth rate we dream of by 2047. Technical teams at cybersecurity centers must remain constantly active. Advanced software will need to be deployed to neutralize large-scale attacks on financial market infrastructure.

While NSE has implemented robust internal cybersecurity measures for its operations and even launched a cybersecurity basic training program, a cyber-resilient capability must be developed. This security system will include implementing all security protocols to protect against email, external data, pen drives, and DDoS attacks. Pop-ups and alerts must be issued promptly. The latest news is that a dedicated team of cyber warriors is being formed to keep the exchange secure 24 hours a day.

A backup system will be created that handles everything from trading systems to setup. The complaint so far is that, despite numerous warnings, control measures are not taken immediately when fraud occurs. There is an urgent need to protect the NSE from these attacks because if these attacks continue and any lack of defenses remains, the very nature of the country’s economy will change. A crash at the NSE would be extremely dangerous. These cyber warriors will have to combat 150 to 170 million cyberattacks daily. Additionally, we have established a parallel backup setup in Chennai, which must be activated as soon as a cyberattack is suspected.

The task is enormous, and management facilities,

cybersecurity centers, and backup setups must be constantly vigilant. The cybercrimes currently occurring against the general public have disrupted the economic landscape, impacting UPI payments and tarnishing the image of banks. The common problem is that complaints are filed, but the perpetrators remain undetected.

Frauds are committed, but the money remains unrecovered. While much hue and cry is raised against cybercrimes, apprehending the perpetrators remains elusive. Statistics show that, in Asia, the highest number of cyber crimes is occurring in India. It’s also true that India has experienced the greatest growth in cyber power. Every person in India has a mobile phone.

With this power, the pace of online commerce is increasing. This growth is a sign of progress, but the rise in crimes at the same pace is not. The next effort should be to quickly apprehend criminals and provide them with exemplary punishments. It’s not that today’s cyber criminals commit fraud and tease you, saying, “Look, we’ve done our job, now catch us.”