Govt Urges RBI, Banks to Strengthen Cybersecurity Amid Rising Tensions

In response to rising tensions with Pakistan, the Indian government has asked key financial institutions, including the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), major banks, and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), to boost their cybersecurity measures. According to official sources, a detailed advisory has been issued to ensure the safety of India’s digital payment systems and financial infrastructure. These steps come after the recent terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 and India’s strong counter-terrorism actions, including Operation Sindoor.

On May 8, India successfully repelled multiple drone and missile strikes from Pakistan targeting border and military areas like Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur. In this tense environment, the government has emphasized the need to protect core financial systems, including core banking, payment gateways, real-time gross settlement (RTGS), and Unified Payments Interface (UPI) platforms.

India’s digital economy has grown rapidly, with around 17–18 billion mobile payment transactions occurring monthly, valued at approximately ₹24 lakh crore. NPCI and major banks form the backbone of this infrastructure, making them potential targets for cyber threats.

Agencies such as the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) and the RBI have already alerted financial organizations to stay prepared for possible cyber attacks. The National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC), responsible for safeguarding vital digital systems, is also actively involved in monitoring threats. These measures aim to ensure uninterrupted financial services and protect India’s economic stability during this period of heightened security concern.

Source: Moneycontrol