By Ashwani Mishra, Editor-Technology, 63SATS Cybertech
Cybersecurity concerns surged globally this week. India ramped up banking cybersecurity amid Pakistan tensions, while Iowa County battled a disruptive ransomware attack. U.S. healthcare giant Ascension reported a breach affecting over 430,000 patients. Google agreed to pay Texas $1.4 billion over privacy violations involving location and facial data. In Japan, hackers exploited online trading platforms to conduct $2 billion in unauthorized transactions.
Meanwhile, U.S. federal agencies issued urgent warnings after a spike in cyberattacks targeting operational technology in critical infrastructure. These developments underscore the growing frequency and sophistication of cyber threats across sectors and geographies, demanding immediate action.
India Urges Cyber Vigilance in Banking Amid Rising Border Tensions
Amid escalating tensions with Pakistan, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman directed Indian banks to fortify operational and cybersecurity protocols, especially in sensitive border areas. In a high-level meeting with RBI, NPCI, CERT-In, and others, she emphasized uninterrupted banking services and staff safety.
Banks were asked to perform frequent audits, secure digital infrastructure, and enhance monitoring of platforms like UPI and internet banking to thwart cyber threats during this period of heightened geopolitical risk.
Ransomware Cripples Iowa County Network, Disrupts Public Services
Iowa County officials confirmed a ransomware attack that disrupted parts of its computer network last week. Suspicious activity was detected on April 28, followed by system outages on April 30. External cybersecurity experts are now assessing the breach’s scope, with the county working to rebuild affected infrastructure.
No specific timeline was shared for full recovery, and officials warned of delays in public services, response times, and data access due to ongoing restoration efforts.
Data Breach at Ascension Exposes 430,000+ Patient Records
Ascension, a major U.S. healthcare provider, disclosed that over 430,000 patients were impacted in a December data breach linked to a former partner. Information stolen includes personal details such as names, birth dates, Social Security numbers, and medical data like diagnoses, billing codes, and insurance providers.
The breach came to light through notification letters sent in April. The exposed data increases the risk of identity theft and medical fraud for affected individuals.
Google to Pay $1.4 Billion in Texas Privacy Settlement
Google will pay $1.375 billion to settle two lawsuits filed by Texas over alleged unauthorized location tracking and retention of facial recognition data. The settlement far exceeds previous payouts in similar cases, including a $391 million multi-state deal in 2022.
Texas accused Google of violating privacy rights by collecting and using biometric and location data without user consent. This record-breaking fine highlights growing regulatory pressure on big tech over data privacy practices.
Hackers Exploit Japanese Accounts to Trade $2 Billion Illegally
Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) reported a surge in unauthorized online trades, with hackers conducting nearly $2 billion in transactions in April alone. Nine securities firms reported 2,746 illicit trades via around 5,000 breached accounts. The FSA had earlier flagged a dramatic rise in cyber intrusions during Q1 2025.
Total illegal trades now exceed $3 billion in the first four months, revealing major vulnerabilities in Japan’s online trading infrastructure and prompting urgent regulatory scrutiny.
Surge in Attacks on US Infrastructure OT Systems Prompts Federal Alert
U.S. critical infrastructure is facing a wave of cyber incidents targeting operational technology (OT) and industrial control systems (ICS), prompting a federal advisory. CISA, along with the FBI, DOE, and EPA, issued fresh guidance urging immediate cybersecurity upgrades.
Attackers—often unsophisticated—are exploiting internet-exposed OT systems in sectors like energy and transport. Despite basic tactics, some attacks have caused physical disruptions and reconfigurations, exposing systemic gaps in the nation’s critical infrastructure security posture.
