Discuss the potential threats of Cyber attack and the security framework to prevent it.
Approach · directive: “discuss”
What it asks · Describe the kinds of cyber attack India faces and the legal, institutional and technical framework meant to prevent them.
It asks 2 things — answer each
- Discuss the potential threats of cyber attack
- Discuss the security framework to prevent it
Open with · Data opening: CERT-In tracked 15,92,917 cyber security incidents in 2023 and 20,41,360 in 2024, up sharply since the WannaCry year of 2017, as banking, power and governance moved online under Digital India.
Cover
- Threats: ransomware such as WannaCry (2017), malware, phishing, denial-of-service attacks and financial fraud.
- Larger threats: attacks on critical infrastructure such as power grids, telecom and banking, state-sponsored espionage and cyber terrorism.
- Vulnerabilities: dependence on imported hardware and software, low awareness, shortage of skilled staff and poor reporting.
- Law: the IT Act, 2000 (amended 2008) punishes hacking (S.66) and cyber terrorism (S.66F) and shields protected systems (S.70); the DPDP Act, 2023 fines up to Rs 250 crore for weak security safeguards.
- Institutions: CERT-In with mandatory incident reporting since 2022, NCIIPC, the National Cyber Security Policy 2013, and the I4C (2018) whose 1930 helpline and fraud-reporting system have saved over Rs 8,690 crore.
- Practice and gaps: RBI's cyber security framework for banks (2016), the Cyber Swachhta Kendra; few trained officials and India outside the Budapest Convention.
Close with · Cyber security is now national security; skilled manpower and public–private threat sharing will decide whether an 'Open, Safe and Trusted and Accountable Internet' survives 20 lakh incidents a year.
Add value (verified)
- CERT-In incidents: 13,91,457 (2022), 15,92,917 (2023), 20,41,360 (2024).Government measures to protect critical infrastructure and private data against cyber attacks — PIB, MeitY (2025) ↗“the total number of cyber security incidents in the last three years are given below: Year Total number of cyber security incidents 2022 13,91,457 2023 15,92,917 2024 20,41,360”
- Government goal: an Open, Safe and Trusted and Accountable Internet.Government measures to protect critical infrastructure and private data against cyber attacks — PIB, MeitY (2025) ↗“The policies of the Government are aimed at ensuring an Open, Safe and Trusted and Accountable Internet for its users.”
- DPDP Act, 2023: highest penalty up to Rs 250 crore for failure to maintain reasonable security safeguards.DPDP Rules notified — PIB, MeitY (November 2025) ↗“The highest penalty up to ₹ 250 crore applies to failure of a Data Fiduciary to maintain reasonable security safeguards.”
- I4C set up by MHA in 2018; its fraud-reporting system saved over Rs 8,690 crore till 31 January 2026; 1930 helpline.Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre — PIB, Ministry of Home Affairs (2026) ↗“As per CFCFRMS operated by I4C, till 31.01.2026, financial amount of more than Rs. 8,690 Crore has been saved in more than 24.65 lakh complaints. A toll-free Helpline number ‘1930’ has been operationalized”
- CERT-In issued directions on reporting of cyber incidents on 28 April 2022.CERT-In issues directions on information security practices and reporting of cyber incidents — PIB, MeitY (April 2022) ↗“CERT-In issues directions relating to information security practices, procedure, prevention, response and reporting of cyber incidents for Safe & Trusted Internet Posted On: 28 APR 2022”
Question: UPSC's CS (Main) 2017, GS Paper III — paper ↗. Approach: Minimalist IAS, checked 3 Oct 2026 (how we verify) — UPSC publishes no model answers. ·
Model answer· 225words · Minimalist IAS
CERT-In tracked 15,92,917 cyber security incidents in 2023 and 20,41,360 in 2024, up sharply since the WannaCry year of 2017, as banking, power and governance moved online under Digital India.
Potential threats of cyber attack
- Malware and ransomware: WannaCry (2017) locked systems worldwide; phishing, denial-of-service and financial fraud hit banks and citizens.
- Critical infrastructure: attacks on grids, telecom, banking and transport can paralyse the economy; state-backed espionage and cyber terrorism threaten security.
- Vulnerabilities: imported hardware, weak awareness, skill shortage and poor incident reporting.
Security framework to prevent it
Cyber security framework: IT and DPDP Acts; CERT-In, NCIIPC; I4C, 1930 helpline; RBI norms; Aware citizens
- Law: the IT Act, 2000 (amended 2008) punishes hacking (Section 66) and cyber terrorism (Section 66F) and shields 'protected systems' (Section 70); the DPDP Act, 2023 fines up to Rs 250 crore for weak security safeguards.
- Institutions: CERT-In for response, with mandatory incident reporting since 2022; NCIIPC for critical infrastructure; the I4C (2018), whose 1930 helpline and fraud-reporting system have saved over Rs 8,690 crore.
- Practice and gaps: RBI's cyber security framework for banks (2016) and the Cyber Swachhta Kendra; yet skilled staff are few and India stays outside the Budapest Convention.
Cyber security is now national security; skilled manpower and public–private threat sharing will decide whether an 'Open, Safe and Trusted and Accountable Internet' survives 20 lakh incidents a year.
Prepared by Minimalist IAS to the answer standard of Shivam Singh (mentor, 7 years) · facts checked against official sources (how we verify) · updated 3 Oct 2026. UPSC publishes no model answers: compare your structure and coverage with this, then write your own.
