Mumbai: Global cybersecurity company Kaspersky has predicted an increase in cyber espionage for India in 2022.
The company said that India is among the top 5 targets for cyberattacks in the APAC region, particularly security breaches that involved cyber espionage. These findings are part of Kaspersky’s latest report ‘Cyberthreats to Financial Organisations in 2022’ report.
The APAC region, according to Kaspersky is among the hottest targets in the world for cyberattacks for various reasons. The company said that the region is rapidly increasing usage of digital technologies but proportionally has limited awareness on cybersecurity and resources deployed towards mitigation.
Based on its data and advanced cyber-intelligence through various reports on cybersecurity, Kaspersky has found India making it to the top 5 mentions among targets for cyberattacks, with attention to cyber espionage.
The kind of attacks that are expected to increase – APT (Advanced Persistent Threats) cyberattacks with the intention to collect valuable geopolitical, business and military intelligence.
The other countries on the top 5 list include China and Pakistan. And that puts India in the middle of the hottest cyber conflict zones in the APAC region.
According to Dipesh Kaura, GM – Kaspersky (South Asia), India continues to be on the hit list of some very sophisticated cybercriminals and groups of attackers from around the world.
“Its bustling economy and expected growth are among the key reasons for the elevated level of threat it faces,” said Kaura.
“The only correct response is ‘prevention is better than cure’ – to invest in infrastructure and capabilities aimed at improving cyber intelligence by improving prediction capabilities,” added Kaura.
“India has recently taken strong steps towards enhanced cyber threat vigilance and this is commendable,” commented Kaura.
Kaspersky’s findings also identify Singapore as among the major hotspots for cyberattacks. Given Indian businesses have close tie-ups with entities as well as the presence in Singapore, Indian businesses need to be watchful. Singapore is expected to witness data breaches and those affecting cryptocurrency and the newly established NFT industry.