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Tech News overview

Recently, the TRAI has passed some recommendations that benefit the telecommunications industry in India. The suggestion is to lower the entry fees and bank guarantees on the 26th of July 20, 2022. Then wrote a few consulting papers, countering comments by the stakeholders of various companies. 

In a significant move, TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) has proposed spacious changes in terms of entry fees and bank guarantees in the telecom sector. These endorsements have been abeyant to escort the new era of competition, investment, and innovation, reshaping India’s telecommunication landscape.

Proposal Points by TRAI to telecom companies:

As we dive into considering the recommendations by TRAI  into the crucial aspects of the telecom industry, deliberate about the significance of entry fees, the importance of banks, and the guarantees.

1. Entry fees: Entry fees are the advance key point that upholds the charges that telecom companies pay to the government when they want to offer services to the civilians of the country. The amount they pay is quite hefty and usually non-refundable.
2. Bank guarantee: An important factor that is also a type of security, the financial security that assures the telecom companies to fulfil their financial obligations and follow the regulations and policy conditions specified in their license agreement.
3. TRAI roleplay: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is an authority responsible for supervising the telecom industry in the country. Making sure that the regulations and recommendations such as entry fees and bank guarantees are working in the proper way or not, a supervision of such things. 
4. Expected outcomes: TRAI focuses on reducing the entry fees for various types of licenses in the other telecom sector. This step encourages other new telecom operators to enter the market and increase the fair price and investment, which leads to enhancing the competition.
5. Consolidating Bank guarantees: TRAI also proposed an amalgamation of bank guarantees, which means telecom companies are required to maintain separate guarantees for different business licenses, which makes business doing sectors an easy environment.
6. No entry fee at the time of License Renewal: Recommendations by TRAI by not charging any entry fees when telecom operators renew their licenses. This step can reduce the financial burden on both existing and new entrants,, specifically for UL(VNO)license shareholders.

Reshaping the telecom panorama:

Recommendation by TRAI that can potentially help in reshaping the Telecoms landscape in India in various aspects:

• Increment in healthy Competition: By reducing the entry fees, TRAI would be creating a platform profitable and affordable for new market players in India.
• Market enlargement: Lowering the entry fees might lead to the participation of new entrants, including regional and smaller players,, to get involved in the telecom industry. 
• Due to the market expansion, the outcomes can potentially lead to improved access to telecom services in underdeveloped areas and regions and contribute to digital inclusion.
• Job Recruitment: The evolution in the telecom industry due to new operators and increased investment can lead to job uplift in both telecom and industries related to technological infrastructure.
• Choice of preference: As there is a rise in competition, consumers are likely to have many choices when it comes to telecom service providers. The consumers get to select from a wider range of services, leading to better value for money and quality of service.
• Quality of service: With increased competition and a hefty amount of investment, telecom operators have a spur to enhance the quality of service.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, TRAIs proposal on lowering the entry fees and bank guarantee for financial services marks a significant milestone in India’s telecom industry. These essential changes hold the promise of fostering competition, investment, a platform for new entrants, quality of service, wider range of platforms for selection. As these advance suggestions take place, in telecom industry in India is on a new threshold of an existing transformation that could reevaluate the way we communicate and connect.

Reference:

https://www.gearrice.com/update/telecom-companies-will-get-a-sigh-of-relief-on-trais-recommendation-to-the-government-on-entry-fees-and-bank-guarantee/

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Disclaimer:

The information is based on claims made by threat actors and does not imply confirmation of the breach, by CyberPeace. CyberPeace includes this detail solely to provide factual transparency and does not condone any unlawful activities. This information is shared only for research purposes and to spread awareness. CyberPeace encourages individuals and organizations to adopt proactive cybersecurity measures to protect against potential threats.

🚨 Data Breach Alert ⚠️: 

Recently The Research Wing of CyberPeace and Autobot Infosec have come across a claim on a threat actor’s dark web website alleging a data breach involving 637k+ records from Federal Bank. According to the threat actor’s claim, the data allegedly includes sensitive details such as-

• 🧑‍Customer Name
• 🆔Customer ID
• 🏠 Customer Address
• 🎂 Date of Birth
• 🔢 Age
• 🚻 Gender
• 📞Mobile Number
• 🪪 PAN Number
• 🚘 Driving License Number
• 🛂 Passport Number
• 🔑 UID Number
• 🗳️ Voter ID Information

The alleged data was initially discovered on a dark web website, where the threat actors allegedly claimed to be offering the breached information for sale. Following their announcement of the breach, a portion of the data was reportedly published on December 27, 2024. A few days later, the full dataset was allegedly released on the same forum.

About the Threat Actor Group:

Bashe, a ransomware group that emerged in 2024, is claimed to have evolved from the LockBit ransomware group, previously operating under the names APT73 and Eraleig. The group employs data encryption combined with extortion tactics, threatening to release sensitive information if ransom demands are unmet. Their operations primarily target critical industries, including technology, healthcare, and finance, demonstrating a strategic focus on high-value sectors.

Breakdown of the Alleged Post by the Threat Actor:

• Target: Allegedly involves Customer’s Data of Federal Bank.
• Data Volume: Claimed breach includes 637,894 records.
• Data Fields: Threat actor claims the data contains sensitive information, including Customer name, Customer ID, Date of Birth, PAN Number, Age, Gender, Father Name, Spouse Name, Driving Licence, Passport Number, UID Number, Voter ID, District, Zip Code, Home Address, Mailing Address, State etc.

Analysis:

The analysis of the alleged data breach highlights the states purportedly most impacted, along with insights into the affected age groups, gender distribution, and other key insights associated with the compromised data. This evaluation aims to provide a clearer understanding of the claimed breach's scope and its potential demographic and geographic impact.

Top States Impacted: 

As per the alleged breached data, Tamil Nadu has the highest number of affected customers, accounting for a significant 34.49% of the total breach. Karnataka follows closely with 26.89%, indicating a substantial number of individuals affected in the state. In contrast states such as Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan report minimal impact, with each state having less than 1% of affected customers. Gujarat records 3.70% of the breach, with a sharp drop in affected numbers from other states, highlighting a significant disparity in the extent of the breach across regions.

Impacted Age Range Statistics:

The alleged data breach has predominantly impacted customers in the 31-40 years age group, which constitutes the largest segment at 35.80% of the affected individuals. Following this, the 21-30 years age group also shows significant impact, comprising 27.72% of those affected. The 41-50 years age group accounts for 20.55% of the impacted population, while individuals aged 50 and above represent 12.68%. In contrast, the 0-20 years age group is the least affected, with only 3.24% of customers falling into this category.

Gender Wise Statistics:

The alleged data breach has predominantly impacted male customers, who constitute the majority at 74.05% of the affected individuals. Female customers account for 23.18%, while a smaller segment, categorized as "Others," constitutes 2.77%.

The alleged dataset from the threat actors indicated that a significant portion of customers' personal identification data was compromised. This includes sensitive information such as driving licenses, passport numbers, UID numbers, voter IDs, and PAN numbers.

Significance of the Allegations:

Though the claims have not been independently verified at our end it underscores the rising risks of cyberattacks and data breaches, especially in the financial and banking sectors. If true, the exposure of such sensitive information could lead to financial fraud, identity theft, and severe reputational damage for individuals and organizations alike.

CyberPeace Advisory:

CyberPeace emphasizes the importance of vigilance and proactive measures to address cybersecurity risks:

• Monitor Your Accounts: Keep a close eye on financial and email accounts for any suspicious activity.
• Update Passwords: Change your passwords immediately and enable Multi Factor Authentication(MFA) wherever possible.
• Beware of Phishing Attacks: Threat actors may exploit the leaked data to craft targeted phishing scams. Do not click on unsolicited links or share sensitive details over email or phone.
• For Organizations: Strengthen data protection mechanisms, regularly audit security infrastructure, and respond swiftly to emerging threats.
• Report: For more assistance or to report cyber incidents, visit https://cybercrime.gov.in or contact our helpline team at helpline@cyberpeace.net.

We advise affected parties and the broader public to stay alert and take necessary precautions. CyberPeace remains committed to raising awareness about cybersecurity threats and advocating for better protection mechanisms. We urge all stakeholders to investigate the claims and ensure appropriate steps are taken to protect the impacted data, if the breach is confirmed. Our Research Wing is actively observing the situation and we aim to collaborate with the stakeholders and relevant agencies to mitigate the impact.

Stay Vigilant! Stay CyberPeaceful.

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Introduction

Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) serves as the backbone of e-governance, enabling governments to deliver services more efficiently, transparently, and inclusively. By leveraging information and communication technology (ICT), digital governance systems reconfigure traditional administrative processes, making them more accessible and citizen-centric. However, the successful implementation of such systems hinges on overcoming several challenges, from ensuring data security to fostering digital literacy and addressing infrastructural gaps.

This article delves into the key enablers that drive effective DPI and outlines the measures already undertaken by the government to enhance its functionality. Furthermore, it outlines strategies for their enhancement, emphasizing the need for a collaborative, secure, and adaptive approach to building robust e-governance systems.

Key Enablers of DPI

Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), the foundation for e-governance,  relies on common design, robust governance, and private sector participation for efficiency and inclusivity. This requires common principles, frameworks for collaboration, capacity building, and the development of common standards. Some of the key measures undertaken by the government in this regard include: 

1. Data Protection Framework: The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act of 2023 establishes a framework to ensure consent-based data sharing and regulate the processing of digital personal data. It delineates the responsibilities of data fiduciaries in safeguarding users' digital personal data.
2. Increasing Public-Private Partnerships: Refining collaboration between the government and the private sector has accelerated the development, maintenance, expansion, and trust of the infrastructure of DPIs, such as the AADHAR, UPI, and  Data Empowerment and Protection Architecture (DEPA). For example, the Asian Development Bank attributes the success of UPI to its “consortium ownership structure”, which enables the wide participation of major financial stakeholders in the country.
3. Coordinated Planning: The PM-Gati Shakti establishes a clear coordination framework involving various inter-governmental stakeholders at the state and union levels. This aims to significantly reduce project duplications, delays, and cost escalations by streamlining communication, harmonizing project appraisal and approval processes, and providing a comprehensive database of major infrastructure projects in the country. This database called the National Master Plan, is jointly accessible by various government stakeholders through APIs.
4. Capacity Building for Government Employees:  The National e-Governance Division of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology routinely rolls out multiple training programs to build the technological and managerial skills required by government employees to manage Digital Public Goods (DPGs). For instance, it recently held a program on “Managing Large Digital Transformative Projects”. Additionally, the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions has launched the Integrated Government Online Training platform  (iGOT) Karmayogi for the continuous learning of civil servants across various domains. 

Digital Governance; Way Forward

E-governance utilizes information and communication technology (ICT) such as Wide Area Networks, the Internet, and mobile computing to implement existing government activities, reconfiguring the structures and processes of governance systems. This warrants addressing certain inter-related challenges such as : 

1. Data Security: The dynamic and ever-changing landscape of cyber threats necessitates regular advancements in data and information security technologies, policy frameworks, and legal provisions. Consequently, the digital public ecosystem must incorporate robust data cybersecurity measures, advanced encryption technologies, and stringent privacy compliance standards to safeguard against data breaches.
2. Creating Feedback Loops: Regular feedback surveys will help government agencies improve the quality, efficiency, and accessibility of digital governance services by tailoring them to be more user-friendly and enhancing administrative design. This is necessary to build trust in government services and improve their uptake among beneficiaries. Conducting the decennial census is essential to gather updated data that can serve as a foundation for more informed and effective decision-making.
3. Capacity Building for End-Users: The beneficiaries of key e-governance projects like Aadhar and UPI may have inadequate technological skills, especially in regions with weak internet network infrastructure like hilly or rural areas. This can present challenges in the access to and usage of technological solutions.  Robust capacity-building campaigns for beneficiaries can provide an impetus to the digital inclusion efforts of the government.
4. Increasing the Availability of Real-Time Data: By prioritizing the availability of up-to-date information, governments and third-party enterprises can enable quick and informed decision-making.  They can effectively track service usage, assess quality, and monitor key metrics by leveraging real-time data. This approach is essential for enhancing operational efficiency and delivering improved user experience.
5. Resistance to Change: Any resistance among beneficiaries or government employees to adopt digital governance goods may stem from a limited understanding of digital processes and a lack of experience with transitioning from legacy systems.  Hand-holding employees during the transitionary phase can help create more trust in the process and strengthen the new systems. 

Conclusion

Digital governance is crucial to transforming public services, ensuring transparency, and fostering inclusivity in a rapidly digitizing world. The successful implementation of such projects requires addressing challenges like data security, skill gaps, infrastructural limitations, feedback mechanisms, and resistance to change. Addressing these challenges with a strategic, multi-stakeholder approach can ensure the successful execution and long-term impact of large digital governance projects. By adopting robust cybersecurity frameworks, fostering public-private partnerships, and emphasizing capacity building, governments can create efficient and resilient systems that are user-centric, secure, and accessible to all. 

References

• https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/865106/adbi-wp1363.pdf 
• https://www.jotform.com/blog/government-digital-transformation-challenges/ 
• https://aapti.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/AaptixONI-DPIGovernancePlaybook_compressed.pdf 
• https://community.nasscom.in/sites/default/files/publicreport/Digital%20Public%20Infrastructure%2022-2-2024_compressed.pdf 
• https://proteantech.in/articles/Decoding-Digital-Public-Infrastructure-in-India/ 

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