In a major security breach, scores of computers of the Armed forces and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) were hacked sometime back with the possibility of more than 30 classified files having been compromised not ruled out.
The audacious hacking has forced the Government to issue an advisory that Internet facilities should be delinked from the terminals where classified documents are stored.
The breach, involving more than 50 computers of DRDO and the Armed forces, was detected by the Intelligence Bureau sometime in December and a high level probe was ordered, officials said here on Thursday.
Most of these computers are located in the Defence Ministry headquarters in South Block while others are installed in the North Block housing the Home Ministry. Home Ministry officials, however, denied these incidents and said nothing of this sort had happened.
As many as 53 systems of the North Block, including those of the Home Ministry and Finance Ministry are reported to have been compromised and sensitive data leaked in the process. Intelligence sources said classified files of the paramilitary forces, CRPF and BSF, and their deployment plans have been hacked. Following the breach being detected, a probe is underway to establish the identity of the hackers and their motive behind it.
When asked, National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon sought to downplay the hacking incident saying there are “various forms of compromise” and “not every leaked password is a big threat to security. A mere fact that some computer is open in North Block and South Block and is accessible does not mean that therefore there is big gap in security”. He also said “things are not in bad shape,” adding “we will deal with those computers which we feel are compromised”.
An advisory issued to the Services said it was found that a spyware was detected which could read the files of computers when not even connected to internet, sources said.
This advisory comes as Chinese hackers have tried to hack sensitive computer links of Indian security agencies including some sensitive data in Navy last year. Most of the commands all over the country have already issued strict instructions in this regard. One of the measures comprise not having internet facilities in sensitive bases, laboratories and units besides personnel being barred from carrying pen drives and compact discs.
India is facing cyber war attacks with an alarming increase, including defacement of Government websites. Thousands of Country Code Top level Domains (official websites of the Government with the suffix .in) have been facing defacement every year.