By Ashwani Mishra, Editor-Technology, 63SATS
Cybersecurity remains a top priority globally, with governments and organizations taking decisive action. India is deploying AI to detect and shut down mule accounts used in cyber fraud, while Maharashtra’s Cyber Cell cracks down on controversial online content..
Meanwhile, Cisco refutes claims of a new ransomware breach, attributing leaked data to an old attack. Gcore’s latest report highlights a 56% surge in DDoS attacks, peaking at 2 Tbps. In the UK, the Cyber Monitoring Centre launches a severity scale to classify cyber incidents effectively.
India Deploys AI to Shut Down Cyber Fraud ‘Mule Accounts’
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has announced a government initiative to leverage AI in detecting and shutting down “mule accounts” before they are exploited for cyber fraud. Speaking at the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for MHA on Cybersecurity, he emphasized the need for a holistic approach involving technology, services, and awareness.
He described cybercrime as “borderless” and urged collaboration between key ministries and financial institutions. Shah also highlighted the government’s efforts, including the promotion of the I4C helpline (1930) and PM Modi’s “STOP-THINK-TAKE ACTION” initiative, to strengthen India’s cybersecurity framework.
Maharashtra Cyber Cell Files Case Against ‘India’s Got Latent’ Show
The Maharashtra Cyber Cell has registered a case against 30-40 individuals linked to the comedy show India’s Got Latent. The legal action follows alleged disrespectful remarks made by host Samay Rana and guests, including Ranveer Allahbadia, during a recent episode. Authorities have begun issuing notices and summoning those involved from the show’s first to sixth episode.
The controversy has sparked widespread backlash, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis vowing strict action against the show’s creators. Social media outrage and official scrutiny highlight growing concerns over content accountability in India’s digital landscape.
Cisco Rejects Kraken Ransomware Breach Claims, Cites Old Data Leak
Cisco has dismissed claims of a new ransomware breach after the Kraken group leaked credentials allegedly stolen from its internal network. The leaked data, including administrator accounts and NTLM hashed passwords, was posted on Kraken’s dark web site, accompanied by threats of further attacks.
Cisco clarified that the credentials stem from a historical breach over two years ago, not a recent compromise. The incident highlights the persistent risk of past breaches resurfacing in ransomware campaigns, reinforcing the need for robust credential hygiene and continuous security monitoring.
Gcore Report: DDoS Attacks Surge 56%, Peaking at 2 Tbps
Gcore’s latest DDoS Radar Report reveals a 56% year-on-year rise in DDoS attacks, with a record-breaking peak of 2 Tbps. The financial services sector faced the sharpest increase, with attacks surging by 117%, while gaming remained the most targeted industry.
The report highlights a shift towards shorter, high-intensity attacks that evade traditional defenses. Geopolitical tensions also influence attack trends, emphasizing the need for adaptive mitigation strategies. As DDoS attacks grow in scale and sophistication, organizations must invest in real-time defense mechanisms to counter evolving threats.
UK’s Cyber Monitoring Centre Unveils Cyber Incident Severity Scale
The newly launched Cyber Monitoring Centre (CMC) aims to classify cyber incidents affecting UK organizations using a standardized severity scale from one (least severe) to five (most severe). Backed by the cyber insurance industry, the framework will assess incidents based on financial impact and the proportion of affected organizations.
Mirroring models like the Richter scale for earthquakes, the CMC will categorize major cyber events, including ransomware attacks and supply chain disruptions. Officially launched at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), the initiative seeks to enhance clarity in cyber risk assessment and response strategies.