ICAR loses crucial recruitment & research data after hack: Report
In a shocking revelation, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has suffered a major data breach, resulting in the loss of crucial data including research projects and recruitment information for key roles such as Deputy Directors General. The incident, which is believed to have occurred in April, has left experts and officials scrambling to contain the damage and prevent future breaches.
According to a report by The Indian Express, ICAR’s website, Delhi server, and Hyderabad replication server were all impacted by the hack, leading to the loss of sensitive data. The extent of the breach is still unclear, but it is believed that the affected data includes research projects, recruitment information for top-level positions, and other critical information.
The ICAR is an autonomous organization under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. It is responsible for coordinating and overseeing agricultural research in the country, and its loss of data is a significant concern.
The hack is believed to have occurred in April, but it took several months for the ICAR to detect and report the breach. The Indian Express report states that the ICAR’s data security committee is yet to submit a report on measures to improve data security, indicating that the organization may be struggling to contain the fallout from the breach.
The loss of data is a significant concern for the ICAR, as it undermines the organization’s ability to conduct research and make informed decisions. Research projects, including those related to crop development, animal husbandry, and agricultural policy, are crucial to India’s agricultural sector, which is a significant contributor to the country’s GDP.
Recruitment information for top-level positions, including Deputy Directors General, is also critical, as it affects the ICAR’s ability to attract and retain top talent. The loss of this data could lead to delays in filling these positions, which could impact the organization’s ability to function effectively.
The ICAR has not commented on the breach, but experts have expressed concern over the lack of transparency and accountability in the organization’s handling of the incident. “The ICAR should have been more proactive in detecting and containing the breach, and they should have informed the public and stakeholders about the incident sooner,” said a cybersecurity expert, who wished to remain anonymous.
The ICAR’s data security committee is responsible for ensuring the security and integrity of the organization’s data. However, the fact that the breach occurred and was only detected months later raises questions about the effectiveness of the committee’s measures.
The incident highlights the need for greater investment in data security and cybersecurity measures in the public sector. “The public sector needs to take data security more seriously, and invest in robust cybersecurity measures to prevent and detect breaches,” said another cybersecurity expert.
The ICAR is not the only organization to have suffered a data breach in recent times. In recent months, several other public sector organizations, including the Reserve Bank of India and the National Stock Exchange, have reported breaches.
In conclusion, the ICAR’s loss of crucial recruitment and research data after a hack is a significant concern, and highlights the need for greater investment in data security and cybersecurity measures in the public sector. The organization must take immediate action to contain the fallout from the breach and improve its data security measures to prevent future incidents.
