Page 36 - Informatics, October 2020
P. 36
Technology Update
Overcoming Cyber Security
challenges during COVID-19
Pandemic
Cyber Security issues during the pandemic and their
solutions
Edited by MOHAN DAS VISWAM he year 2020 started with a lot of cheer and Cyber Security Challenges During
fanfare, reminiscent of the year 2000 that had Pandemic
Remedies for cyber security Tushered in this century and the millennium. Security challenges are always a fellow traveller
But the euphoria was cut short with the news about
challenges cannot be uncertain as a deadly virus spreading fast in China and other of any crisis. Security takes a back seat during a
they pose a serious threat in all parts of the world. Sooner than later the first case shortage of key resources such as time, manpower
and money. The pandemic called for the rolling out
in India was reported on 30th January and since then
sectors such as governance, health cases have been soaring. Governments at various of voluminous hardware and software in a very short
levels took precautionary measures and initiated span of time. Often there was little time to harden
care, finance, and transport. Just awareness programmes to contain the pandemic. the hardware and secure the software. More work
as the corona virus can be kept Jantha curfew was observed across the Nation on needed to be carried out by the same or even less
manpower. Delays in approval and transfer of funds
22nd March followed by the countrywide lock-down.
away by simple steps like social Migrant workers and expatriates returned home in created financial constraints in various spheres.
large numbers due to loss of livelihood. With the The pandemic confined a large number of people
distancing and the use of masks scientists still clueless on a possible solution, the in their homes with their social life almost completely
end is nowhere in sight. crippled. With the television initially telecasting
and sanitizers, cyber threats amid
Turning Crisis to Opportunity only the repeat entertainment programmes, apart
the pandemic can be overcome Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) has thrown the from the virus news, of course, the internet was
by keeping cyber hygiene and world as a whole and nations in particular into an the only source of entertainment for most people.
unprecedented crisis. The situation was challenging Fear of salary cuts and layoffs due to the worsening
following the best practices. to the governments, corporates as well as individuals economic conditions was looming large. As a result,
in terms of economy, social life, and even the very the human mind started wandering - or remained
survival of human beings. Converting the crisis to an idle - and negative emotions often influenced their
opportunity, governments across the country have behaviour. Casual browsing increased and attackers
opened new spheres in eGovernance. As a result, started exploiting this curiosity, confusion, fear,
digital transformation that could not be achieved in and boredom of the victims leading to large-scale
phishing attacks.
the last six years was achieved in the last six months.
What was hitherto considered to be The Normal was Phishing in troubled Pandemic
replaced by a New Normal. But this digital revolution Phishing is a fraudulent attempt to obtain
was not without challenges - it has increased the sensitive information by disguising it as a trustworthy
scope for cyber-attacks. The increased use of cyber entity in electronic communication. More than
C.J. Antony platform during the pandemic has widened the
Dy. Director General 90% of data breaches start with spear-phishing
antony@nic.in attack surface. attacks. In the current scenario where real-time
36 informatics.nic.in October 2020
