Surge in Cybersecurity Incidents Targeting Indian Government Entities

India witnessed a significant rise in cybersecurity threats in 2023, with 204,844 incidents reported against government organizations, up from 192,439 in 2022. This 6.4% increase highlights growing vulnerabilities in critical systems. In response, the Indian government introduced measures aimed at strengthening cybersecurity. All central ministries and states are now required to appoint Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) to oversee the security of sensitive data. Additionally, the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC), established under the Information Technology Act, 2000, has been tasked with safeguarding critical infrastructure from potential breaches.

The surge in cyberattacks underscores the importance of bolstering the nation’s defenses against rapidly evolving digital threats. It also calls for greater investment in technology and awareness to protect crucial government functions and sensitive citizen data. These steps mark a proactive approach to mitigating risks and ensuring national cybersecurity readiness.