GPS spoofing, ransomware threats could impact national security, says Jitin Prasada

Warning that India’s maritime infrastructure could be a prime target for cyberattacks, including ransomware, GPS spoofing, and attacks on critical Operational Technology (OT) systems, Minister of State for the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Jitin Prasada said that the disruption would directly or indirectly impact the country’s national security.

.Prasada was delivering the keynote address during a seminar organised by the Indian Navy, titled ‘Impact of Cyber Attacks on Maritime Sector and Its Effects on National Security and International Relations’, here today

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He said that increasing reliance on technology, from the automated cranes in our ports to sophisticated navigation systems on our warships, has created a new attack vector, presenting the challenges of disruption by inimical forces.

“The world is witnessing numerous attacks on the maritime sector. Reports of GPS spoofing and jamming in strategic waterways have shown us that even the very coordinates of our vessels can be manipulated by malicious actors. These are not merely technical glitches; they are acts of warfare, executed with a silent precision that can cripple economies and undermine sovereignty without a single shot being fired,” he added.

Stating that the future belongs to the nations that can synergise these ecosystems in an efficient and safe manner, the Minister said, “Our readiness must encompass not just our fleets but the entire network of ports, shipping lanes, and digital infrastructure that sustains our maritime power.”

The seminar was aimed at enhancing the understanding of cyber threats in the maritime domain and fostering collaboration amongst key stakeholders to strengthen the national cybersecurity posture. It featured three panel discussions, including Global Cyber Threats to Maritime Infrastructure, Civil and Military Partnership, and Maritime Sector as Critical Information Infrastructure.

The panellists included experts from the key ministries and organisations, including the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL), the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH), the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC), and the National Maritime Foundation (NMF), as well as leaders from private organisations.

On the sidelines of the seminar, a Tech Exhibition was organised in partnership with Data Security Council of India (DSCI) featuring indigenous innovations in cybersecurity and defence technologies by various Start-ups from across the country towards promoting Aatmanirbharta and the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.