Lok Sabha Question No. 3775 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-18
Subject: Impact of Digital Banking Business on Cyber Security
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Smt. Delkar Kalaben Mohanbhai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3775

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 18.12.2024

## IMPACT OF DIGITAL BANKING BUSINESS ON CYBER SECURITY

## †3775. SMT. DELKAR KALABEN MOHANBHAI:

Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

(a) whether there has been any impact on cyber security due to increase in digital banking business keeping in view the dynamic nature of information technology; and (b)  if  so,  the  number  of  cyber  threats  cases  including  phishing,  network  scanning  and probing, viruses and website hacking registered during each of the last three years?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a):  Government is fully cognizant and aware of cyber threats and challenges including those due to increase in digital banking business keeping in view the dynamic nature of information  technology.  Government  is  committed  to  ensure  an  open,  safe,  trusted  and accountable internet for its users and  has taken several key  initiatives aimed  at safeguarding digital banking business which, inter alia, includes:

- i. The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) is designated as the  national  agency  for  responding  to  cyber  security  incidents  under  the provisions of section 70B of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
- ii. The Computer Security Incident Response Team-Finance Sector (CSIRT-Fin) has been setup for responding to and containing and mitigating cyber security incidents reported from the financial sector under the umbrella and guidance of CERT-In.
- iii. To  ensure  that  the  technology  deployed  by  the  authorized  Payment  System Operators (PSOs) to operate the payment system/sin a safe secure, sound, and efficient  manner,  Reserve  Bank  of  India  (RBI)  had  directed  all  PSOs  to  get Audit of their payment  system done by CERT-In empanelled auditors on an annual basis and submit the report to RBI within two months of close of their respective financial year.
- iv. CERT-In has  empanelled  155  security  auditing  organisations  to  support  and audit implementation of Information Security Best Practices.
- v. CERT-In has periodically issued advisories on awareness of security aspects of digital  payments, that aim at creating cyber security know-how by analysing the threat vectors and suggesting best practices for the specific area in cyber security for organisations and users.
- vi. CERT-In and RBI jointly carry out a cyber security awareness campaign on 'Beware and be aware of Financial Frauds' through the Digital India Platform.
- vii. RBI has issued a comprehensive circular on the Cyber Security Framework for banks,  which  sets  standards  and  guidelines  for  implementing  robust  cyber security  controls.  This  circular  serves  as  a  benchmark  for  banks  to  follow, covering various aspects of cyber security, including risk management, threat

detection,  data  protection,  and  incident  response,  ensuring  a  uniform  and effective approach to safeguarding digital banking systems.

(b):  As per information reported to and tracked by Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), the total number of cyber security incidents in Indian banking sector, including  phishing,  Network  Scanning  &  Probing,  virus,  and  website  hacking  incidents during the last three years, are as follows:

|   Year | Phishing Incidents   | Network Scanning& Probing   | Virus /Malware Incidents   |   Website Hacking Incidents | Cyber Security Incidents   |
|--------|----------------------|-----------------------------|----------------------------|-----------------------------|----------------------------|
|   2021 | 215                  | 86,585                      | 9,203                      |                          18 | 1,22,764                   |
|   2022 | 1,145                | 10,220                      | 2,559                      |                          57 | 27,482                     |
|   2023 | 401                  | 12,330                      | 1,185                      |                          39 | 23,158                     |

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