India stood as the Digital Frontier for Cyber Attacks

India's massive digital transformation, characterized by increasing internet users, adoption of online services, and reliance on digital systems, has opened up new vulnerabilities. 

Cyber-attacks, particularly ransomware, phishing, and data breaches have surged significantly, making the country a top target in the Asia Pacific region. 

Undoubthly, India's digital landscape expands rapidly, businesses are adopting AI and machine learning, which inadvertently exposes them to sophisticated cyber threats. In fact, India has experienced a significant increase in AI-powered ransomware attacks, with nearly 1.3 billion AI transactions recorded in 2024, making it a prime target for cybercriminals.

Cybercriminals have adopted more aggressive tactics, demanding record-breaking ransom payments. A prominent case involved the Dark Angels group, which extracted $75 million in a single attack, signaling that such tactics may become more common.

India's manufacturing sector has been the hardest hit, but industries such as healthcare, financial services, and technology are also vulnerable. LockBit, BianLian, and BlackCat are among the most active ransomware groups in India, posing significant risks across various sectors.

Key drivers for this spike include the use of Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) models, an increase in zero-day attackstargeting legacy systems, and the emergence of AI-powered attacks. The rise of vishing attacks (voice phishing) further complicates the situation. These developments are pushing organizations to prioritize advanced security frameworks like Zero Trust architecture to reduce risks. 

Despite awareness of these threats, many organizations in India lack robust cybersecurity measures. The need for adopting zero trust architecture has become critical, as this approach can limit the impact of attacks by reducing an organization's exposure to vulnerabilities. Expert says, zero trust frameworks and AI-powered platforms, to mitigate these growing risks.

Finally, the recent announcement by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)issues circular establishing special wing of cyber commandos in all states to counter cyber threats.