Indian PM Mr. Narendra Modi has identified cyber security as one of the key areas of development in India. Considering the rapid growth of cyber trends including mobile transactions, e-commerce, and the evolutionary Digital India, cyber security has become crucial. No matter what the economical dimensions of business companies are, deployment of effective cyber security is mandatory to prevent cyberattacks and threats. Hence, the IT analysts and strategists have come up with various cyber security trends to look out for this year:
- Demonetisation and Digital Payments – The focus on digitalised payments and demonetisation has naturally propelled the working of cyber security experts. Since, digital payments through ATM cards, mobile wallets, debit/credit cards and online banking are not equipped with proper cyberattack protection, 2017’s main target now lies in securing digital payment methods.
- Potent Malware – Malware still lies as one of the main enemies of digitalisation. With Modi’s aim of achieving a cashless India, malware easily puts a setback. With Botnet Cleaning Centre and Malware Removal Centre, the threats could be receded down considerably.
- Protection of Infrastructure – The Indian government, at the beginning of this year, has suggested the improvement of infrastructure protection. It has been quite some time that the government is keenly formulating the necessary guidelines and regulations for its effectiveness. The National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) under the government has proposed its implementation.
- Aadhaar card security – Violation of basic civil liberties such as data protection and privacy protection occur on a daily basis that puts a severe setback. Indian government failed to take the necessary security measures for violation of civil liberties and cyber security regarding Aadhaar card and digitalisation. Hence, it has become a critical necessity.
- International cyber security – It is imperative to realise the internationality of cyber security and cyberattacks. The Indian government has still not implemented any globally acceptable law for cyber security or cyber security treaties.
- Medical security – Over the past decade, the importance of ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) has greatly increased in medical services. Last year, the government failed to provide complete cyber security, data and privacy protections for medical organisations.
- Cyber insurance and litigation – The reason behind the lack of development in cyber security is the dearth of awareness. The better half of 2017 has already focused on spreading cyber awareness. Governmental law enforcement agencies must execute efficient cybercrime investigations and cyber forensic abilities. Also, due to the growth of cyberattacks, this year expects greater cyber security insurance.
- The fault of encryption – The fact that encryption is present and available everywhere makes it exceedingly hard for cyber inspection yet makes it easier for cybercriminals to creep in. Security programs should condense the mass network and immediately identify security records after a code has been decrypted.
- Increase in social attacks – Attacks through email or text messages are nothing new: coaxing the user into believing that he/she has won an outstanding offer via email. The users often, not sensing the trap, click on the malicious link that subsequently leads them to ransomware.
- Security of IoT – Internet of things still lacked the essential cyber security and cyber protection methods in 2016. Although it has not yet completely evolved, 2017 aims for maximum IoT protection as well.