Ransomware attack shuts down payment systems in nearly 300 Indian banks
A ransomware attack on technology service provider C-Edge Technologies has temporarily shut down payment systems across nearly 300 small local banks in India, according to two sources directly aware of the matter.
C-Edge Technologies, which provides banking technology systems to small banks nationwide, has not responded to an email seeking comment. Similarly, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) did not reply to Reuters' request for comment.
The National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI), which oversees payment systems, issued a public advisory late Wednesday, stating that it had "temporarily isolated C-Edge Technologies from accessing the retail payments system operated by NPCI."
"Customers of banks serviced by C-Edge will not be able to access payment systems during the period of isolation," the NPCI announced.
To prevent a wider impact, nearly 300 small banks have been isolated from the broader payment network, according to sources who are officials at a regulatory authority. "Most of these are small banks and only about 0.5% of the country's payment system volumes would be impacted," one source said.
India has nearly 1,500 cooperative and regional banks, mainly operating outside major cities, and some of these banks have been affected, the sources told Reuters.
NPCI is conducting an audit to ensure the attack does not spread, the second source added.
In recent weeks, the RBI and Indian cyber authorities have warned banks about potential cyber-attacks, according to banking industry sources and the first source.
With inputs from Reuters.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
