In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, government entities in India face mounting pressure to bolster their cybersecurity resilience. The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre reported that the G20 Summit website experienced relentless cyberattacks last year, with 1.6 million attempts detected per minute. Moreover, during the 2024 general elections, various cyberattack groups targeted Indian government and military infrastructures through spear phishing, advanced persistent threats (APTs), ransomware, DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service), and other sophisticated attacks.
This situation underscores the urgency for government agencies to stay ahead of emerging threats and effectively counter these challenges. “Government entities must adopt adaptive strategies. Investing in unified observability solutions is essential for automated threat detection and comprehensive visibility. These tools expedite responses to emerging threats and enhance overall incident management,” asserts Himanshu Kumar Gupta, Senior Director – Government Business & Channels, Trend Micro, India & SAARC during an interaction with FinancialExpress.com.
Insights on Emerging Trends and Adaption Strategies
Cyber-attacks on Government entities have profound impact on national security, critical infrastructure, and public trust. Therefore, it is crucial to remain vigilant about emerging trends and future challenges. One pressing trend is the rise of nation-state attacks targeting government networks and critical infrastructure. Himanshu highlights this concern, noting, “The adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) introduces new vulnerabilities that can be exploited by cyber adversaries. While these technologies enhance threat detection and response, they also offer opportunities for attackers to launch more complex and unpredictable attacks.”
In response to these trends, government agencies should prioritize continuous monitoring, advanced threat intelligence, and the integration of AI-driven cybersecurity solutions to strengthen their defenses. Gupta emphasizes, “Investing in solutions that offer comprehensive visibility and automated threat detection is crucial for improving response time and more effective incident management.” He also underscores the importance of regular security assessments and employee training to stay ahead of the evolving threat landscape.
Building a Robust Cyber Resilience Strategy
India’s position as a global leader in the digital space—with over 936 million Internet subscribers—highlights the need for a robust cyber resilience strategy, especially given the increasing complexity of cyber threats.
Unlike the private sector, where profitability and customer trust drive cybersecurity investments, Indian government agencies focus on national security, public safety, and the protection of sensitive citizen data. These priorities shape the key components of a government-focused cyber resilience strategy.
Addressing this, he states, “A comprehensive risk management framework tailored to India’s unique cyber landscape is crucial. This framework must address a range of threats, from advanced persistent threats (APTs) by hostile nation-states to ransomware and insider threats. It should also account for the potential cascading effects of disruptions across various sectors, with a focus on national security and public service continuity.”
Adding, “Regulatory compliance and governance are also essential. Government entities must adhere to national cybersecurity standards set by the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).”
Government agencies must be equipped to respond swiftly to cyber incidents to minimize disruptions, particularly those affecting large populations. This requires well-defined incident response plans and regular drills to ensure preparedness. “Recovery planning is vital for quickly restoring services post-attack, particularly in sectors like healthcare, transportation, and public safety”, says Gupta. Unlike the private sector, where financial losses are a concern, delays in recovery for government entities could lead to widespread public harm and compromise national security.
Collaborative Efforts with Industry Experts
Nation’s commitment to cybersecurity is evident in initiatives such as the expanded Digital India Programme. Applauding these efforts, Himanshu says, “The CISO Deep-Dive training programme under MeitY’s Cyber Surakshit Bharat Initiative is an excellent initiative to raise awareness about cybercrime and build the capacities of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and frontline IT officials across all government departments. Such initiatives prepare our cyber soldiers to tackle cyber-attacks effectively.”
Gupta also highlights the value of collaboration between private companies and government agencies. “Partnerships can significantly enhance incident response capabilities and streamline data sharing through established frameworks,” he explains.
Furthermore, he advocates for the establishment of Centres of Excellence within government departments and the incorporation of cybersecurity education into the national curriculum, empowering the next generation to address emerging threats.
Data Management and Advanced Security Strategies
Managing vast amounts of sensitive data is a significant challenge for government agencies, particularly in a country as populous as India. Advanced data management strategies are essential for protecting data from cyber threats. Governments are increasingly adopting AI-powered solutions for real-time monitoring, predictive analysis, and rapid threat response.
Himanshu emphasizes the importance of policies such as the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP), which regulate data collection, storage, and processing. He noted that “encryption techniques safeguard data both at rest and in transit, while Zero Trust architectures ensure continuous verification before granting data access to effectively protect sensitive data.”
Furthermore, he adds, “Government bodies should be strict when it comes to granting access control of data and ensure regular security audits to identify and mitigate any potential threats. Critical and data sensitive organizations should conduct red teaming exercises to spot any vulnerability within the security infrastructure and equip themselves with an Incident Response (IR) plan that can be immediately executed.” Last but not the least, he underscores the importance of continuous training for employees on security best practices and recognising potential threats.