Highways Ministry seeks Highway Authority, Automakers to increase IT Security after cyber-attack threat

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has asked NHAI, NHIDCL and its other wings besides automobile makers to increase their IT security systems. It is because the ministry has received alert regarding threats of possible cyber attacks targeted at the Indian transport sector.

As per the ministry, it has received an alert from the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) about possible cyber attacks.

"The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways received an alert from CERT-In regarding targeted intrusion activities directed towards Indian Transport sector with possible malicious intentions. The Ministry has advised departments and organisations under the transport sector to strengthen the security posture of their infrastructure," the Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry has requested NIC, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL), Indian Road Congress (IRC), Indian Academy of Highway Engineers (IAHE), State PWDs, Testing agencies and Automobile manufacturers to conduct the security audit of the entire IT system by CERT-In certified agencies.

Besides taking all actions as per their recommendations, the ministry has suggested such security audits on a regular basis.

Also it asked the audit report and the action taken report to be regularly submitted to the ministry.