The National Stock Exchange (NSE) faces as many as 17 Crore cyberattacks daily, officials confirmed, underscoring the constant siege confronting India’s most vital financial infrastructure. During a recent simulation called Operation Sindoor, the exchange endured a record 40 Crore attacks in a single day—without operational disruption.
Defending the Digital Nerve Center
Twin cyber defense centers operate around the clock, relying on advanced software, machine learning, and human vigilance. These “cyber warriors” monitor phishing attempts, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) assaults, and intrusion attempts in real time. NSE officials describe the effort as “battle mode — 24/7, year-round.”
The exchange mandates cyber audits, Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT), and a Cybersecurity Fundamentals Program for trading members through its academy. During peak threat periods, like Operation Sindoor, foreign web access can be restricted to minimize exposure.
Operation Sindoor: A Stress Test of Resilience
What began as a DDoS simulation turned into a massive test of endurance. The attack traffic peaked at 40 crore (400 million) in a day, overwhelming servers with fake requests. None broke through. NSE’s layered defenses — from AI-driven anomaly detection to self-healing backup systems — absorbed the onslaught.
Officials say the Chennai backup center can take over automatically if Mumbai’s systems are compromised, offering “autonomous continuity” for India’s trading infrastructure.
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The Broader Risk: Cyber Threats to Global Finance
Experts warn that financial market infrastructure worldwide is now a low-cost, high-impact target. Even a brief breach could ripple across payment systems, banks, and investor confidence. For NSE, the stakes are existential — “whatever is connected to us will get affected,” an official noted.
As India deepens its digital markets, the NSE’s defensive posture offers both reassurance and a reminder: the war for cyber resilience is unending.
