Inside the Cyberdome: 63SATS' CEO Unveils the Strategy for National and Digital Security

In this exclusive interview, Neehar Pathare, MD and CEO of 63SATS, who also seamlessly wears the hat of the company’s Chief Information Officer (CIO) discusses the evolving digital threat landscape.

Neehar dissects the rapidly evolving digital threat landscape, shedding light on the multifaceted menace of malware, state-sponsored cyber espionage, supply chain vulnerabilities, and the ever-present specter of human error.

He also delves into the rising threat of malicious large language models (LLMs) like WormGPT and DarkBERT, emphasizing the importance of Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) and advanced AI solutions in fortifying defenses. Additionally, he introduces Cyberdome, a cutting-edge framework designed to protect national assets and infrastructure, ensuring a secure and resilient digital environment. Excerpts:

Q: As the MD, CEO, and CIO of 63SATS, how do you perceive the current digital threat landscape?

The digital landscape is fraught with numerous threats. Malware has evolved into a multi-headed beast, including viruses, worms, Trojans, and ransomware, constantly challenging our defenses. State-sponsored cyber espionage is another major threat, targeting our intellectual property and national security, creating a digital Cold War. These actors are sophisticated and persistent, making it a constant battle to protect sensitive information.

Supply chain attacks have also emerged as significant threats, as demonstrated by the SolarWinds incident. Vendors and partners can become weak links in our security chain, emphasizing the need for rigorous vetting and continuous monitoring. Lastly, human error remains a critical vulnerability. Employees often inadvertently compromise security by clicking phishing emails or reusing passwords. Addressing these human factors through training and robust policies is essential to fortifying our defenses.

Q: We have been hearing ominous names like WormGPT, FraudGPT, PoisonGPT, DarkBERT, and DarkBART. All these represent a growing threat, especially in the context of generative AI. How much should we be worried?

There are reasons to worry. These rogue AIs are not just advanced tech experiments; they’re powerful tools wielded by bad actors. Cybercriminals leveraging the capabilities of LLMs can generate realistic, coherent text that easily deceives human readers and slips past traditional security defenses. Whether it’s phishing emails, fake news, or sophisticated social engineering attacks, the potential for harm is immense. The threat of malicious AI is not just a possibility—it’s an impending reality.

The key is to harness the power of good AI to combat the bad. By leveraging advanced, ethical AI solutions, businesses can outsmart and outmaneuver malicious actors. It’s a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, where only the most vigilant and prepared will emerge unscathed.

Q: How can enterprises mitigate such threats?

Organizations are turning to Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) to better manage and reduce their attack surfaces, providing a stronger defense against the escalating wave of cyber threats. CTEM is a top cybersecurity priority this year. Gartner predicts that by 2026, organizations focusing on continuous exposure management will be three times less likely to suffer a breach.

CTEM isn’t a universal solution but adopting it as a cyber risk management framework enables organizations to combat LLM-based fraud, malware, misinformation, and other threats. This approach fosters long-term, sustainable resilience against evolving AI-driven dangers.

Q: Cybersecurity has become crucial in geopolitics—especially during conflicts. Cyberattacks are now a reality both in peacetime and during armed conflicts. In the cyberwars that rage across the digital space, aggressors have historically held the advantage. How is 63SATS looking to change the game?

At 63SATS, we are integrating cutting-edge technologies, expert intelligence, and robust frameworks to construct a formidable cybersecurity barrier around national assets, communications infrastructure, and society. We call this the “Cyberdome”, inspired by Israel’s formidable air-defense systems. Cyberdome is aimed at protecting our nation’s critical infrastructure and sensitive data from global malicious actors.

The Cyberdome consists of four pillars:

Secure Communication & Information Integrity: Employing state-of-the-art encryption and authentication to protect against threats and verify information authenticity.

Threat Detection and Intelligence: Proactively identifying and neutralizing a wide array of cyber threats using advanced analytics and machine learning.

Cloud and Infrastructure Security: Fortifying cloud environments with a multi-layered security approach to protect against sophisticated attacks and vulnerabilities.

Resilience and Response: Preparing the nation to handle cyber disruptions through rapid response capabilities, continuous monitoring, and crisis management protocols.

These pillars create a comprehensive defense system that protects, prepares, and responds to the ever-changing cyber threat landscape, ensuring a secure and resilient digital environment.

By adopting advanced strategies like Cyberdome, we can shift the balance of power, creating a fortified and resilient digital frontier. At 63SATS, we are committed to leading this transformation, ensuring that India not only defends itself effectively but also sets new standards in global cybersecurity and space defense. Together, we can build a cybershield that protects our future and secures our digital sovereignty.