As cross-border tensions escalate, India faces a surge in cyberattacks targeting financial and critical infrastructure. In response, the government has launched a coordinated digital defense operation involving CERT-In, private industry, and social media platforms.
Rising Digital Threats in the Wake of Terror
In the aftermath of the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of Indian civilians and triggered retaliatory military action under Operation Sindoor, India now faces an expanding front: cyberspace.
A significant uptick in cyberattacks particularly distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) assaults and website defacements has been observed since the incident. These attacks, allegedly coordinated by hostile entities and sympathetic hackers, seek to disrupt India’s digital infrastructure and morale.
CERT-In’s Mobilization and Sectoral Response
The Computer Emergency Response Team of India (CERT-In), India’s apex body for cybersecurity, has issued urgent advisories to financial institutions, including major public and private banks, stock exchanges, and digital payment systems.
The instructions stress immediate security audits, hardening of perimeter defenses, 24×7 threat monitoring, and red teaming exercises. Recognizing the broader risk, the government has also partnered with industry bodies like NASSCOM to alert and coordinate responses across the private sector.
Social Media and Misinformation Crackdown
Parallel to cyberattacks, the Indian digital ecosystem has been flooded with fake news, doctored images, and communal misinformation designed to stoke unrest. In response, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has issued over 1,000 takedown requests under Section 69A of the IT Act one of the highest daily figures this year.
Closed-door meetings have been held with major social media platforms to expedite content moderation and traceability, with instructions to flag, restrict, and remove inflammatory content within minutes.
This multi-layered defense strategy signals a new chapter in India’s approach to hybrid warfare, where physical security measures are increasingly matched with robust digital preparedness. With cyber threats becoming more frequent and sophisticated, India’s resilience now rests not just in its soldiers and satellites but in its firewalls, passwords, and protocols.
The team at the Centre for Police Technology stands in unwavering solidarity with the brave Indian soldiers who put their lives on the line every day to protect the sovereignty and security of our nation. Their courage, discipline, and sacrifice form the backbone of India’s defense against terrorism and external threats. As the frontline guardians of national integrity, our armed forces have time and again risen to the occasion with unmatched valor, especially in regions affected by cross-border terror activities.