AI-driven cyberattacks and data breaches in India
Cybersecurity experts reported that cybercriminals increasingly use AI to automate sophisticated attacks that bypass traditional security defenses. Recent high-profile data breaches at Star Health and alleged breaches at Airtel highlighted vulnerabilities in Indian digital infrastructure.
What happened
In September 2024, insurer Star Health experienced a significant breach that exposed the sensitive health information of its clients on Telegram chatbots.
In July 2024, an account on the dark web claimed to have accessed and stolen the data of 375 million Airtel customers and put it up for sale. Bharti Airtel dismissed the claim as a 'desperate' attempt to tarnish the brand's image.
Reported impact
Cybersecurity expert Sneha Katkar, Head of Strategy and Product Custodian for Quick Heal, stated that cybercriminals use AI to automate attacks that are 'so sophisticated in nature that the best of the best fall prey to it,' allowing them to bypass traditional security measures and penetrate even robust security systems.
Index analysis
The breaches at Star Health exemplified how cybercriminals increasingly leverage artificial intelligence to execute sophisticated attacks, posing significant threats to individuals and organisations.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.