Mumbai, October 12, 2025 – Special Report: India’s National Stock Exchange (NSE) faces an average of 170 million cyberattacks every day — hundreds of digital strikes each second, all aimed at breaching the backbone of the country’s financial system. To counter this relentless digital onslaught, the NSE has deployed advanced technology, AI-driven security systems, and a specially trained team of “cyber warriors” who work round the clock to ensure uninterrupted trading operations.
Operation Sindoor: 400 Million Cyberattacks in a Single Day
In a recent cybersecurity exercise titled “Operation Sindoor,” the NSE simulated a massive DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack. During the operation, the exchange recorded a staggering 400 million cyberattacks in a single day — its highest ever.
Despite this extraordinary barrage, NSE’s robust cyber defense architecture, synchronized systems, and highly skilled teams ensured zero disruption to market operations.
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A senior NSE official told reporters,
“Every day, millions of cyberattacks target the exchange. But our technical teams and automated systems continuously neutralize them. For us, it’s like fighting an ongoing digital war.”
24×7 Cyber Defense Centers in Constant ‘Battle Mode’
The NSE operates two state-of-the-art Cyber Defense Centers, both functioning in permanent battle mode. Equipped with real-time threat analytics, auto-response firewalls, and AI-enabled monitoring tools, these centers can detect and block attacks within milliseconds.
According to officials, “The perfect coordination between people, machines, and technology is NSE’s greatest strength — one that has prevented any major breach so far.”
Building a Culture of Cyber Awareness
NSE considers its employees and trading members as the first line of defense in its cybersecurity strategy. Through the NSE Academy, the exchange runs a ‘Cybersecurity Fundamentals Training Program’, focusing on cyber hygiene, data protection, and risk management.
Additionally, all trading members and employees are required to undergo Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) on a regular basis, with reports submitted to the exchange for review.
Strict security protocols govern the use of emails, external data, USB devices, and internet access, while instant pop-up alerts and automated blocking systems are triggered upon detection of any suspicious activity.
Prepared for DDoS Attacks
A DDoS attack floods a server with massive amounts of traffic from multiple sources, often crashing systems or making them inaccessible. Such attacks pose a severe threat to real-time industries like stock trading.
NSE’s multi-layered cybersecurity framework can detect, isolate, and redirect malicious traffic at the earliest stage, preventing any operational impact.
Precautionary Measures During Operation Sindoor
During the surge of cyberattacks under Operation Sindoor, the NSE temporarily restricted website access for foreign users as a precautionary measure.
Officials stated, “Our top priority was to maintain market continuity and investor confidence. Restricting foreign traffic was a necessary technical safeguard.”
Automated Backup and Self-Reliant Systems
The NSE’s infrastructure is supported by a fully automated, self-sustaining backup system, capable of switching operations to its Chennai data center in case of any disruption in Mumbai.
Officials explained, “If any technical issue arises in the main system, the Chennai backup can take over operations instantly after formal digital approvals. Thankfully, such a situation has never occurred so far.”
A Global Cybersecurity Concern
NSE officials cautioned that increasing global interconnectedness and complex digital networks have amplified the risk of cyberattacks across financial systems worldwide.
“If the core infrastructure of any financial market is compromised,” they warned, “the ripple effects will not be limited to one institution but could impact the entire ecosystem.”
Conclusion
The NSE’s proactive stance on cybersecurity symbolizes more than institutional safety — it represents the protection of India’s financial stability.
In an era where digital wars transcend borders, the NSE’s model demonstrates that —
“Security is no longer just a wall; it is a living shield powered by vigilance, technology, and human intelligence.”
