Enterprises in India continue to suffer substantial financial losses due to successful cyberattacks, with ransomware emerging as a significant threat. Kaspersky, a global cybersecurity company, highlights the persistent risk faced by both operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) systems in India. The nation’s large user base and innovative enterprises have made it a prime target for cybercriminals, placing it consistently among the top 12 targeted countries for Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) globally.
Ransomware Menace
With the increasing digitalization of organizations in India, the local ICT supply chain has become vulnerable to cyberattacks. Kaspersky identified ransomware as a critical cyberthreat in 2024, following over 200,000 ransomware incidents detected in Indian businesses in 2023. Notable ransomware groups like Fonix and LockBit have targeted organizations across various sectors, including manufacturing, retail, agriculture, media, and healthcare.
Notorious Ransomware Groups
Despite claims of closure, Fonix operates as a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) malware, while LockBit has infiltrated major Indian organizations, infecting both Windows and Apple systems. LockBit notably became the first ransomware to target Apple systems.
“For three years in a row, file encryption has been the #1 problem faced by enterprises and organizations worldwide and in India. From the basic ransomware attacks like the Wannacry in 2017, we have reached the era of Ransomware 3.0 where we see triple extortion in the form of distributed denial-of-service (DDoS), reselling of data, and public blackmailing. The form of this attack has a wider impact on financial and reputational aspects of Indian companies,” says Jaydeep Singh, General Manager, South Asia, Kaspersky.
“Amidst this evolving threat matrix, securing both Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) systems isn’t just a necessity; it’s the cornerstone of resilience, ensuring that our technological advancements thrive amidst adversarial tides, safeguarding not just our data, but the very essence of our industrial prowess,” he adds.
Urgent Need for Cybersecurity Measures
To counter the evolving ransomware threat to IT and OT systems in India, Kaspersky emphasizes the critical importance of robust cybersecurity defenses. The company advocates for the deployment of threat intelligence capabilities to bolster protection against cyberattacks.
“We are living in an age when information is power. In the digital landscape of India, where Industry 4.0 converges with traditional manufacturing, the heartbeat of progress lies in the fusion of Threat Intelligence and Industrial Cybersecurity. Threat Intelligence illuminates the unseen, empowering proactive defense against evolving cyber threats, while Industrial Cybersecurity reinforces the bedrock of operations with robust defense mechanisms. Together, they form an indispensable duo, safeguarding not just data and assets,” explains Arun Gantayat, Head of Presales for South Asia at Kaspersky.
Kaspersky Solutions
Kaspersky offers comprehensive threat intelligence solutions tailored for Indian businesses to proactively defend against cyber threats. Two key platforms highlighted are:
- Kaspersky Threat Data Feeds: This service delivers real-time threat intelligence information, including data on known malware, phishing websites, vulnerabilities, and exploits, enabling organizations to update security measures promptly.
- Kaspersky CyberTrace: A threat intelligence platform that integrates data feeds from various sources with detection and defense solutions, empowering users to leverage threat intelligence for security monitoring and incident response activities.
Industrial Cybersecurity
For Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS), Kaspersky Industrial Cyber Security (KICS) offers enterprises a comprehensive cybersecurity infrastructure. KICS platform provides natively integrated products and services designed to safeguard OT layers, including DCS, SCADA, HMIs, controllers, networking equipment, and workstations.
As ransomware threats persist and evolve in India’s digital landscape, proactive cybersecurity measures are imperative. Kaspersky’s tailored solutions aim to equip Indian businesses with the tools and intelligence necessary to mitigate risks, protect critical infrastructure, and maintain operational continuity amidst escalating cyber threats.
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