Indian Council of Medical Research Data Breach Exposes Health Data of Millions

In a significant cybersecurity incident, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has reported a massive data breach that has exposed the health information of approximately 815 million Indian citizens. The breach, which is one of the largest in the country’s history, has compromised sensitive personal data, including COVID-19 test results, addresses, and phone numbers. The breach was first flagged by a U.S. security firm after a threat actor claimed to have accessed and put up for sale the personal data of hundreds of millions of Indians.

The data breach has sparked widespread concern about the security of India’s digital infrastructure, especially given the sensitive nature of the information involved. Health data is particularly valuable on the black market, and the scale of this breach has raised alarms within both the government and the private sector.

India’s opposition parties have called for an urgent investigation into the breach, urging the government to strengthen its data protection measures to prevent future incidents. This incident also highlights the broader issue of cybersecurity in India, where rapid digitalization has outpaced the development of robust security frameworks.

The Indian government has yet to provide detailed information on how the breach occurred or the measures being taken to mitigate its impact. However, officials have assured the public that steps are being taken to secure the compromised systems and prevent further unauthorized access.

As the investigation continues, there is growing pressure on the government to implement more stringent data protection laws and enhance cybersecurity measures across all sectors. The breach serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in large-scale digital systems and the need for constant vigilance in protecting personal information.

Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.