Road Transport Ministry issues possible cyberattack alert

The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on Sunday issued a possibly cyberattack alert on the Indian transport sector, including various departments in the Ministry and state Public Works Departments, and asked them take adequate security measures.

"The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways received an alert from CERT-In regarding targeted intrusion activities directed towards Indian transport sector with possible malicious intentions. The Ministry has advised departments and organisations under transport sector to strengthen the security posture of their infrastructure," a statement from the Ministry said.

"NIC, NHAI, NHIDCL, IRC, IAHE, State PWDs, Testing agencies and Automobile manufacturers have been requested to conduct the security audit of the entire IT system by CERT-In certified agencies on a regular basis and take all actions as per their recommendations," the statement said.

The audit report and the action taken report are to be regularly submitted to the Ministry, the statement added.

CERT-In, cyber security nodal agency in the government agencies, frequently issues alert about possible cyberattacks.

Earlier the government had informed Parliament that several attempts were made to attack the various government agencies websites from countries including Pakistan and China during lockdown announced to check spread of Covid-19 last year.