BSE issues cyber threat alert after CERT-In advisory, shares precautionary steps

Stock exchange BSE Ltd issued an important alert on Wednesday in response to a cyber threat advisory from the government's Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), highlighting cyber threat campaigns aimed at Indian organisations.

The CERT-In advisory specifically mentioned that the firms in the banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) sector are on target, the circular dated May 7 said.

"An advisory has been received from Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) highlighting on cyber threat campaign specifically targeting Indian organisations operating within the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector," the BSE release said.

"Market participants are particularly advised to take precautionary measures on potential cyber risks including high-impact cyber-attacks such as ransomware, supply chain intrusions, DDoS attacks, website defacement and malware," it added.

India's oldest stock exchange also requested all members to take precautionary steps such as:

• Confirm if necessary security controls are in order as per SEBI Cybersecurity and Cyber Resilience Framework (CSCRF) dated August 20, 2024.
• Conduct a risk assessment and mitigate any findings.
• Strengthen security monitoring with a proper incident response plan.
• Utilise threat intelligence from the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) and CERT-In and take necessary steps.
• Increase threat hunting activities.
• Improve threat hunting activities
• Report incidents to stock exchanges and regulators within the defined timelines.

Meanwhile, benchmark indices SENSEX and NIFTY are trading flat in a volatile session.

The 30-share SENSEX climbed 47 points, or 0.06%, to 80,799, while the NIFTY is down 0.05% to 24,401.