Authored by Arshdeep Singh Mundi, Executive Director, Jujhar Group
For every nation, Telecommunication or telecom, serves as the lifeline of global connectivity. It allows communication among individuals and organisations throughout the world. In recent times, integrating advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) in telecommunication has transformed the way people connect in the world.
People are now provided with seamless connectivity through a robust voice channel and data. Nevertheless, with an increased reliance on digital infrastructure, telecom networks have become potential targets for cyberattacks. The telecom sector is thus, leveraging innovative technologies to defend its networks and data against cybercrimes.
Rise of Cybercrimes in Telecom
According to Cyber Crime Magazine, cybercrime includes data damage and destruction, theft of personal and financial data, restoration and deletion of hacked data and systems, etc. The telecommunications industry is one of the industries most affected by the increase in cyberattacks. Concurring to Statista's Market Insights Report, the global cost of cybercrime is projected to reach USD 13.82 trillion by 2028.
This is because telecom networks are sophisticated and interconnected, with routers, switches and servers that increase the attack surface for hackers. Moreover, handling vast volumes of sensitive data makes them susceptible to theft and cybercrime.
Following are some common cyberattacks that target the telecom industry:
Ransomware- Malicious malware encrypts network data in these attacks, making it unusable until a ransom is paid. This is because telecoms have extensive data repositories, making them an ideal choice for attackers who either seek to impair vital communication infrastructure or gain profit from them.
Phishing- These attacks entail delivering false messages that appear to be from a legitimate source, typically by email, in order to acquire sensitive data such as login passwords and financial information. Telco personnel and consumers are both possible targets.
Insider attacks- These are the attacks posed by individuals who work for the company, including partners, contractors, or employees, who might misuse their access to Telecom's resources. Data breaches and network sabotage are key examples of the serious harm that insider threats may do.
In order to avoid cyberattacks and strengthen cybersecurity, telecoms are turning to novel technologies.
Cutting-Edge Technologies in Telecom Cybersecurity
In recent times, innovative technologies have emerged as novel means to transform telecom cybersecurity, improving threat detection, transaction security and encryption capabilities.
AI and machine learning empower the telecom industry to analyse vast datasets and identify strange behaviour that could indicate a cyberthreat. This way, it helps in proactive threat detection and rapid response. Blockchain allows secure and tamper-proof transactions, protecting them against data modification and unauthorised access.
Quantum cryptography promises future-proofing encryption. It uses quantum physics to generate unbreakable cryptographic keys that provide data secrecy even against quantum computers. Advanced analytics solutions play an important role in spotting concerns before they become major problems. These systems detect trends and abnormalities by examining network data in near-real time, allowing for proactive intervention to avert service outages or breaches.
These breakthrough solutions improve cybersecurity by ensuring the integrity, confidentiality and availability of communication networks and services in the dynamic threat environment. In addition, the telecom industry also requires government support and policies that focus on data integrity and protection.
The Telecommunications (Telecom Cyber Security) Rules, 2024, demonstrate India's commitment to a safe and resilient telecom environment. These guidelines address the increasing complexity of cyber threats in the telecom business by implementing stringent protections, maintaining accountability through the CTSO (Chief Telecommunications Security Officer), and employing digital tools. As the nation strides forward in its digital journey, these rules and advanced technologies serve as the backbone, protecting users and strengthening trust in Indiaโs telecommunications infrastructure.
๐๐ญ๐๐ฒ ๐ข๐ง๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ฎ๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐จ๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ WhatsApp Channel now! ๐๐ฒ
๐ญ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ถ๐๐ ๐บ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ด๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ท๐๐๐๐ฌ ๐ Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram
