Vol. II, Issue 10
Date: November 03, 2021
By
Developments during the month point towards increased phishing attacks and technical support scams on Indian enterprises. India stands sixth in the list of 140 countries most affected by ransomware. The long awaited National Cyber Security Strategy, to address growing cyberattacks, is nearing finalisation. 5G trials, along with the recent telecom reforms including production linked incentives, are transforming India’s telecom landscape. Rational allotment of spectrums to all stake holders including satellite and telecom players will play a significant role in the early roll out of 5G.
In a significant judgment, the Supreme Court appointed a 3-member expert technical committee overseen by a former Supreme Court judge to examine allegations of surveillance using Pegasus spyware. The court’s decisions on remedial measures will be significant.
The government is looking at rolling out a five-year strategic perspective plan to make India a significant technology player.
The menace of ransomware attacks continues with the reemergence of Russian hackers involved with the SolarWinds attacks, forcing major like-minded economic powers to collaborate on response. Recent cyber-attacks have hit Iran’s fuel system and an Israeli hospital.
LinkedIn announced its decision to quit China due to a challenging operating environment and greater compliance requirements. It will continue to provide a stripped-down version of its application to help China’s job market.
Whistleblower Frances Haugen exposed bias in Facebook processes affecting mental-health and political discourse, highlighted its inability/reluctance to prevent hate and fake messages, and suggested that that Facebook prioritised profit over consumer safety. Amidst this controversy, Facebook rebranded itself as ‘Meta’, signifying its focus on Metaverse as the new social media platform. Simultaneously, former U.S. president Donald Trump announced the launch of a new social media platform ‘TRUTH Social’ to stand up to Big Tech platforms.
The US administration held a meeting with representatives from 30 countries, including NATO allies, EU and G7 partners, to discuss methods to combat ransomware.
It was reported that Russia and the US have developed a UN General Assembly draft resolution on cybersecurity, based on the 2021 consensus reports of the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) and the Group of Governmental Experts (UNGGE).
In a significant judgment, the Supreme Court appointed a 3-member expert technical committee overseen by a former Supreme Court judge to examine allegations of surveillance using Pegasus spyware. The court’s decisions on remedial measures will be significant.
The government is looking at rolling out a five-year strategic perspective plan to make India a significant technology player.
The menace of ransomware attacks continues with the reemergence of Russian hackers involved with the SolarWinds attacks, forcing major like-minded economic powers to collaborate on response. Recent cyber-attacks have hit Iran’s fuel system and an Israeli hospital.
LinkedIn announced its decision to quit China due to a challenging operating environment and greater compliance requirements. It will continue to provide a stripped-down version of its application to help China’s job market.
Whistleblower Frances Haugen exposed bias in Facebook processes affecting mental-health and political discourse, highlighted its inability/reluctance to prevent hate and fake messages, and suggested that that Facebook prioritised profit over consumer safety. Amidst this controversy, Facebook rebranded itself as ‘Meta’, signifying its focus on Metaverse as the new social media platform. Simultaneously, former U.S. president Donald Trump announced the launch of a new social media platform ‘TRUTH Social’ to stand up to Big Tech platforms.
The US administration held a meeting with representatives from 30 countries, including NATO allies, EU and G7 partners, to discuss methods to combat ransomware.
It was reported that Russia and the US have developed a UN General Assembly draft resolution on cybersecurity, based on the 2021 consensus reports of the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) and the Group of Governmental Experts (UNGGE).
