Threat of USB-borne malware continues to be a serious concern

KAP Prabhakaran, VP Engineering - Honeywell Connected Enterprise India

“Cybersecurity has become an increasingly important concern in India in recent years, as the country has seen a significant increase in cyber threats and incidents. In 2022, we issued Honeywell Industrial Cybersecurity USB Threat Report, where through extensive research and analytics we concluded that the threat of USB-borne malware continues to be a serious concern. Data from 2022 indicated that 52% of threats were specifically designed to utilize removable media, up from 32% the previous year and more than double the 19% reported in the 2020 study, clearly indicating that the threats designed to use removable media have reached a dangerously high level. As industrial enterprises digitally transform by connecting operational technology (OT) assets and enabling remote capabilities, securing critical infrastructures is fundamental in protecting business continuity.

To address these challenges, the Indian government has implemented a number of measures, including the creation of a national cybersecurity policy and the establishment of a dedicated cybersecurity agency, the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC).

With the increasing use of digital technologies and the growing threat of cyber-attacks, there is a high demand for cybersecurity professionals in India and around the world. The government of India has also recognized the importance of cybersecurity and has established the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) to strengthen the country's cyber defence capabilities while also launching initiatives such as the Cyber Swachhta Kendra and the National Cyber Security Policy.”