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Iran has accused the U.S. and Israel of conducting a cyberattack on one of its major pharmaceutical companies.
The alleged attack reportedly damaged production lines for anti-cancer and other specialized medicines.
This incident highlights the escalating threat of cyber warfare targeting critical civilian infrastructure globally.
The targeting of healthcare facilities raises significant ethical and humanitarian concerns in international conflict.
National policies and agencies (like CERT-In in India) dedicated to preventing and responding to cyberattacks.
Measures to safeguard essential services like healthcare, energy, and finance from cyber threats.
The broader context of U.S.-Iran and Israel-Iran tensions, where cyber warfare becomes a tool of statecraft.
Debates on applying principles of distinction, proportionality, and humanity to cyber operations, especially concerning civilian targets.
Cyber warfare involves state-sponsored or state-directed attacks on an adversary's computer systems and networks to cause disruption, damage, or espionage. Critical Infrastructure refers to assets, systems, and networks (both physical and virtual) that are essential for the functioning of a society and economy. This includes sectors like energy, transportation, communication, finance, and healthcare. Targeting critical infrastructure in cyber warfare can have devastating real-world consequences, impacting civilian life and national security. The 'dual-use' nature of cyber tools means they can be used for both defensive security and offensive operations.
Simple Analogy: Imagine a country's vital organs (like its heart, lungs, and brain) being its critical infrastructure. Cyber warfare is like a digital virus designed to attack and disable these organs, not just the military's weapons. If the 'heart' (power grid) or 'lungs' (healthcare system) are attacked, the entire body (nation) suffers, not just its fighting arm.
GS-II: International Relations (India and its neighborhood- relations, Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests); GS-III: Internal Security (Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention); Science & Technology (Developments and their applications and effects in everyday life).
General Awareness (Current Affairs, Science & Technology, International Events).
General Awareness (Current Affairs, International Events, Basic Cybersecurity terms).
General Knowledge (Geopolitics, National Security, Cyber Warfare).
In India, it is legally mandatory for which of the following to report on cyber security incidents? 1. Service providers 2. Data centres 3. Body corporate Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Answer: 1, 2 and 3
Consider the following statements: 1. Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their flights, while cruise missiles are rocket-powered only in the initial phase of flight. 2. Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile, while BrahMos is a solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: Neither 1 nor 2
With reference to Home Guards, consider the following statements: 1. Home Guards are raised under the Home Guards Act and Rules of the Central Government. 2. The role of the Home Guards is to serve as an auxiliary force to the police in maintenance of internal security. 3. To prevent infiltration on the international border/coastal areas, the Border Wing Home Guards Battalions have been raised in some States. How many of the above statements are correct?
Answer: Only two
High
State-sponsored attacks on computer systems and networks.
Essential assets and systems vital for a nation's functioning.
Indian Computer Emergency Response Team, the national agency for cybersecurity incident response.
National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre, India's nodal agency for CIIP.