In a significant move to bolster cybersecurity, India's premier stock exchanges—the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)—have temporarily restricted access to their websites for users outside India. This precautionary measure comes in response to escalating cyber threats, notably from a group identifying itself as the "Pakistan Cyber Force."
The "Pakistan Cyber Force" has claimed responsibility for breaching sensitive Indian defense entities, including the Military Engineering Service and the Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis. These breaches reportedly involved unauthorized access to confidential data and attempts to deface official government websites.
A BSE spokesperson emphasized the proactive stance of the exchange, stating, "BSE, being a critical market infrastructure institution, proactively and continuously monitors risks at domestic and international levels for potential cyber threats." Based on such monitoring, specific websites or locations are blocked to protect users and systems.
It's important to note that these restrictions are limited to website access and do not impact the ability of foreign investors to trade on Indian markets, which continue to function normally.
This development underscores the growing importance of robust cybersecurity measures in the financial sector, especially amidst rising geopolitical tensions.
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