'2022 will see cos in unison to contain cyber threats'

While the year 2020 saw a number of phishing attacks when the pandemic broke 2021 was known as the year of ransomware with some big-ticket attacks. However, 2022 will be known as the year and cooperation of consolidation to ward off certain attacks, stated Dr. Rajesh Pant, National Cyber Security Coordinator.

Speaking at the 16th edition of India Digital Summit 2022, organised by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), Dr Pant said that cybercrime is a national security issue and poses a big threat to a nation’s economic progress and various countries are coming together to ward off such threats.  

As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, India recorded over 50,035 cases of cybercrime in 2020. The rate of cybercrime (incidents per lakh population) also increased from 3.3% in 2019 to 3.7% in 2020 in the country, as per NCRB. 

Dr Pant said that about 32 nations have come together to fight the threat of ransomware. This year will be the year of consolidation and collaboration to keep cybercrimes at bay. Like-minded nations are finding solutions to it.  

Recently, Check Point, an Israel-based cybersecurity company, disclosed that a new campaign by Zloader (a malware first seen in August last year) exploited 2,170 victims in 111 countries, with India being the third most affected with 140 cases. 

As per a study conducted by the Data Security Council of India (DSCI), the Indian cybersecurity industry has witnessed phenomenal growth, with the services and product industry’s combined revenue jumping to $9.85 billion in 2021. Furthermore, the industry grew at a combined annual growth rate (CAGR) of 40 per cent in the last two years, as per DSCI.