#FactCheck-A manipulated image showing Indian cricketer Virat Kohli allegedly watching Rahul Gandhi's media briefing on his mobile phone has been widely shared online.

Introduction

‍
As the calendar pages turn inexorably towards 2024, a question looms large on the horizon of our collective consciousness: Are we cyber-resilient? This is not a rhetorical flourish but a pragmatic inquiry, as the digital landscape we navigate is fraught with cyberattacks and disruptions that threaten to capsize our virtual vessels.

What, then, is Cyber Resilience? It is the capacity to prepare for, respond to, and recover from these cyber squalls. Picture, if you will, a venerable oak amid a howling gale. The roots, those unseen sinews, delve deep into the earth, anchoring the tree – this is preparation. The robust trunk and flexible branches, swaying yet unbroken, embody response. And the new growth that follows the storm's rage is recovery. Cyber resilience is the digital echo of this natural strength and flexibility.

The Need for Resilience

Why, you might ask, is Cyber Resilience of such paramount importance as we approach 2024? The answer lies in the stark reality of our times:

• A staggering half of businesses have been breached by cyberattacks in the past three years.
• The financial haemorrhage from these incursions is projected to exceed a mind-numbing $10 trillion by the end of 2024.
• The relentless march of technology has not only brought innovation but also escalated the arms race against cyber threats.
• Cyber resilience transcends mere cybersecurity; it is a holistic approach that weaves recovery and continuity into the fabric of digital defenses.
• The adaptability of organisations, often through measures such as remote working protocols, is a testament to the evolving strategies of cyber resilience.

• The advent of AI and Machine Learning heralds a new era of automated cyber defense, necessitating an integrated framework that marries security with continuity protocols.
• Societal awareness, particularly of social engineering tactics, and maintaining public relations during crises are now recognised as critical elements of resilience strategies.
• Cyber threats have evolved in sophistication, paralleling the intense competition to develop new AI-driven solutions.
• As we gaze towards the future, cyber resilience is expected to be a prominent trend in both business and consumer technology sectors throughout 2024.

The Virtues 

The benefits of cyber resilience for organisations are manifold, offering a bulwark against the digital onslaught:

• A reduction in the risk of data breaches, safeguarding sensitive information and customer data.
• Business continuity, ensuring operations persist with minimal disruption.
• Protection of reputation, as companies that demonstrate effective cyber resilience engender trust.
• Compliance with data protection and privacy regulations, thus avoiding fines and legal entanglements.
• Financial stability, as the costs associated with breaches can be mitigated or even prevented.
• Enhanced customer trust, as clients feel more secure with companies that take cybersecurity seriously.
• A competitive advantage in a market rife with cyber threats.
• Innovation and agility, as cyber-resilient companies can pivot and adapt without fear of digital disruptions.
• Employee confidence, leading to improved morale and productivity.
• Long-term savings by sidestepping the expenses of frequent or major cyber incidents.

As the year wanes, it is a propitious moment to evaluate your organisation's cyber resilience. In this edition, we will guide you through the labyrinth of cyber investment buy-in, tailored discussions with stakeholders, and the quintessential security tools for your 2024 cybersecurity strategy.

How to be more Resilient 

Cyber resilience is more than a shield; it is the preparedness to withstand and recover from a cyber onslaught. Let us explore the key steps to fortify your digital defenses:

• Know your risks: Map the terrain where you are most vulnerable, identify the treasures that could be plundered, and fortify accordingly.
• Get the technology right: Invest in solutions that not only detect threats with alacrity but also facilitate rapid recovery, all the while staying one step ahead of the cyber brigands.
• Involve your people: Embed cybersecurity awareness into the fabric of every role. Train your crew in the art of recognising and repelling digital dangers.
• Test your strategies: Regularly simulate incidents to stress-test your policies and procedures, honing your ability to contain and neutralise threats.
• Plan for the worst: Develop a playbook so that everyone knows their part in the grand scheme of damage control and communication in the event of a breach.
• Continually review: The digital seas are ever-changing; adjust your sails accordingly. Cyber resilience is not a one-time endeavour but a perpetual commitment.

Conclusion 

As we stand on the precipice of 2024, let us not be daunted by the digital storms that rage on the horizon. Instead, let us embrace the imperative of cyber resilience, for it is our steadfast companion in navigating the treacherous waters of the cyber world. Civil Society Organizations such as ‘CyberPeace Foundation’ playing a crucial role in promoting cyber resilience by bridging the gap between the public and cybersecurity complexities, conducting awareness campaigns, and advocating for robust policies to safeguard collective digital interests. Their active role is imperative in fostering a culture of cyber hygiene and vigilance.

References 

• https://www.loginradius.com/blog/identity/cybersecurity-trends-2024/
• https://ciso.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/ciso-strategies/cisos-guide-to-2024-top-10-cybersecurity-trends/106293196

Introduction

Intricate and winding are the passageways of the modern digital age, a place where the reverberations of truth effortlessly blend, yet hauntingly contrast, with the echoes of falsehood. The latest thread in this fabric of misinformation is a claim that has scurried through the virtual windows of social media platforms, gaining the kind of traction that is both revelatory and alarming of our times. It is a narrative that speaks to the heart of India's cultural and religious fabric—the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, a project enshrined in the collective consciousness of a nation and steeped in historical significance.

The claim in question, a spectre of misinformation, suggests that the Ram Temple's construction has been covertly shifted 3 kilometres from its original, hallowed ground—the birthplace, as it were, of Lord Ram. This assertion, which spread through the echo chambers of social media, has been bolstered by a screenshot of Google Maps, a digital cartographer that has accidentally become a pawn in this game of truth and deception. The image purports to showcase the location of Ram Mandir as distinct and distant from the site where the Babri Masjid once stood, a claim went viral on social media and has caught the public's reactions.

The Viral Tempest 

In the face of such a viral tempest, IndiaTV's fact-checking arm, IndiaTVFactCheck, has stepped into the fray, wielding the sword of veracity against the Goliath of falsehood. Their investigation into this viral claim was meticulous, a deep dive into the digital representations that have fueled this controversy. Upon examining the viral Google Maps screenshot, they noticed markings at two locations: one labelled as Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple and the other as Babri Masjid. The latter, upon closer inspection and with the aid of Google's satellite prowess, was revealed to be the Shri Sita-Ram Birla Temple, a place of worship that stands in quiet dignity, far removed from the contentious whispers of social media.

The truth, as it often does, lay buried beneath layers of user-generated content on Google Maps, where the ability to tag any location with a name has sometimes led to the dissemination of incorrect information. This can be corrected, of course, but not before it has woven itself into the fabric of public discourse. The fact-check by IndiaTV revealed that the location mentioned in the viral screenshot is, indeed, the Shri Sita-Ram Birla Temple and the Ram Temple is being constructed at its original, intended site.

This revelation is not merely a victory for truth over falsehood but also a testament to the resilience of facts in the face of a relentless onslaught of misinformation. It is a reminder that the digital realm, for all its wonders, is also a shadowy theatre where narratives are constructed and deconstructed with alarming ease. The very basis of all the fake narratives that spread around significant events, such as the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple, is the manipulation of truth, the distortion of reality to serve nefarious ends of spreading misinformation.

Fake Narratives; Misinformation

Consider the elaborate fake narratives spun around the ceremony, where hours have been spent on the internet building a web of deceit. Claims such as 'Mandir wahan nahin banaya gaya' (The temple is not being built at the site of the demolition) and the issuance of new Rs 500 notes for the Ram Mandir were some pieces of misinformation that went viral on social media amid the preparations for the consecration ceremony. These repetitive claims, albeit differently worded, were spread to further a single narrative on the internet, a phenomenon that a study published in Nature said could be attributed to people taking some peripheral cues as signals for truth, which can increase with repetition.

The misinformation incidents surrounding the Ram Temple in Ayodhya are a microcosm of the larger battle between truth and misinformation. The false claims circulating online assert that the ongoing construction is not taking place at the original Babri Masjid site but rather 3 kilometres away. This misinformation, shared widely on social media has been debunked upon closer examination. The claim is based on a screenshot of Google Maps showing two locations: the construction site of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple and another spot labeled 'Babar Masjid permanently closed' situated 3 kilometers away. The assertion questions the legitimacy of demolishing the Babri Masjid if the temple is being built elsewhere. However, a thorough fact-check reveals the claim to be entirely unfounded.

Deep Scrutiny

Upon scrutiny, the screenshot indicates that the second location marked as 'Babar Masjid' is, in fact, the Sita-Ram Birla Temple in Ayodhya. This is verified by comparing the Google Maps satellite image with the actual structure of the Birla Temple. Notably, the viral screenshot misspells 'Babri Masjid' as 'Babar Masjid,' casting doubt on its credibility. Satellite images from Google Earth Pro clearly depict the construction of a temple-like structure at the precise coordinates of the original Babri Masjid demolition site (26°47'43.74'N 82°11'38.77'E). Comparing old and new satellite images further confirms that major construction activities began in 2011, aligning with the initiation of the Ram Temple construction.

Moreover, existing photographs of the Babri Masjid, though challenging to precisely match, share essential structural elements with the current construction site, reinforcing the location as the original site of the mosque. Hence the viral claim that the Ram Temple is being constructed 3 kilometers away from the Babri Masjid site is indubitably false. Evidence from historical photographs, satellite images and google images conclusively refute this misinformation, attesting that the temple construction is indeed taking place at the same location as the original Babri Masjid.

Viral Misinformation: A false claim based on a misleading Google Maps screenshot suggests the Ram Temple construction in Ayodhya has been covertly shifted 3 kilometres away from its original Babri Masjid site.

Fact Check Revealed: IndiaTVFactCheck debunked the misinformation, confirming that the viral screenshot actually showed the Shri Sita-Ram Birla Temple, not the Babri Masjid site. The Ram Temple is indeed being constructed at its original, intended location, exposing the falsehood of the claim.

Conclusion 

The case of the Ram Temple is a pitiful reminder of the power of misinformation and the significance of fact-checking in preserving the integrity of truth. It is a clarion call to question, to uphold the integrity of facts in a world increasingly stymied in the murky waters of falsehoods. Widespread misinformation highlights the critical role of fact-checking in dispelling false narratives. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle between truth and misinformation in the digital age, emphasising the importance of upholding the integrity of facts for a more informed society. 

References 

• https://www.indiatvnews.com/fact-check/fact-check-is-ram-temple-being-built-3-km-away-from-the-birthplace-here-truth-behind-viral-claim-2024-01-19-912633
• https://www.thequint.com/news/webqoof/misinformation-spread-around-events-ayodhya-ram-mandir-g20-elections-bharat-jodo-yatra

‍

Introduction:

The National Security Council Secretariat, in strategic partnership with the Rashtriya Raksha University, Gujarat, conducted a 12-day Bharat National Cyber Security Exercise in 2024 (from 18th November to 29th November). This exercise included landmark events such as a CISO (Chief Information Security Officers) Conclave and a Cyber Security Start-up exhibition, which were inaugurated on 27 November 2024. Other key features of the exercise include cyber defense training, live-fire simulations, and strategic decision-making simulations. The aim of the exercise was to equip senior government officials and personnel in critical sector organisations with skills to deal with cybersecurity issues. The event also consisted of speeches, panel discussions, and initiatives such as the release of the National Cyber Reference Framework (NCRF)- which provides a structured approach to cyber governance, and the launch of the National Cyber Range(NCR) 1.0., a cutting-edge facility for cyber security research training.

The Deputy National Security Advisor, Shri T.V. Ravichandran (IPS) reiterated, through his speech, the importance of the inclusion of technology in challenges with respect to cyber security and shaping India’s cyber strategy in a manner that is proactive. The CISOs of both government and private entities were encouraged to take up multidimensional efforts which included technological upkeep but also soft skills for awareness.

CyberPeace Outlook

The Bharat National Cybersecurity Exercise (Bharat NCX) 2024 underscores India’s commitment to a comprehensive and inclusive approach to strengthening its cybersecurity ecosystem. By fostering collaboration between startups, government bodies, and private organizations, the initiative facilitates dialogue among CISOs and promotes a unified strategy toward cyber resilience. Platforms like Bharat NCX encourage exploration in the Indian entrepreneurial space, enabling startups to innovate and contribute to critical domains like cybersecurity. Developments such as IIT Indore’s intelligent receivers (useful for both telecommunications and military operations) and the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited’s plans to establish a dedicated Security Operations Centre (SOC) to counter cyber threats are prime examples of technological strides fostering national cyber resilience.

Cybersecurity cannot be understood in isolation: it is an integral aspect of national security, impacting the broader digital infrastructure supporting Digital India initiatives. The exercise emphasises skills training, creating a workforce adept in cyber hygiene, incident response, and resilience-building techniques. Such efforts bolster proficiency across sectors, aligning with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. By integrating cybersecurity into workplace technologies and fostering a culture of awareness, Bharat NCX 2024 is a platform that encourages innovation and is a testament to the government’s resolve to fortify India’s digital landscape against evolving threats. 

References

1. https://ciso.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/cybercrime-fraud/bharat-cisos-conclave-cybersecurity-startup-exhibition-inaugurated-under-bharat-ncx-2024/115755679
2. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2078093
3. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/indore/iit-indore-unveils-groundbreaking-intelligent-receivers-for-enhanced-6g-and-military-communication-security/articleshow/115265902.cms
4. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/defence-system-to-be-set-up-to-protect-metro-rail-from-cyber-threats/article68841318.ece
5. https://rru.ac.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Brochure12-min.pdf

‍