New Delhi, Sep 6 : In an effort to be prepared for a massive cyber-security event the Indian National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) and the UK government, in collaboration with BAE Systems on Tuesday, executed a successful virtual ransomware simulation across 26 nations.This exercise is an element of the International Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI)-Resilience Working Group which is being directed by India under the direction of National Cyber Security Coordinator (NCSC).
This exercise has been developed to aid in the mission of the CRI and will enable participating CRI members to assess their capacity in resolving a significant ransomware attack and also to demonstrate the value of sharing knowledge and working together during a major event; and also provide opportunities for CRI nations to exchange methods of fighting ransomware.
The exercise was facilitated by BAE Systems via the Immersive Labs platform and the scenario was designed specifically for participants, based on threats intelligence and operational experience.
The theme was based around the energy industry that has experienced several grave ransomware attack in the past few years to protect electricity distribution companies that provide distribution of electricity to customers in the domestic market and act as the final link to the public power supply.
The exercise examined the difficulty of making decisions regarding the responses to ransomware that affects Critical National Infrastructure.
Cyber-attacks against critical infrastructure by bad actors from the nation state have increased dramatically.India witnessed 70 percent growth in ransomware attacks in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2021, an analysis released in the last few days.
In the report from cybersecurity firm Trellix the majority of the threat actors who are considered adversarial came through Russian and Chinese supported groups, and Russian-backed organizations like APT29 have continued to dramatically increase their activities in 2022.
Last week, reports surfaced about a Russian malware that was downloaded on an account in Nigeria was used to carry out an attack on the Oil India’s (OIL) system in Assam.
The state-owned company was hit by an attack on its cyber security in the headquarters of its field in Assam’s eastern region’s Duliajan, with the hacker seeking $75,00,000.
na/vd
