Government Strengthens Cyber Resilience Against AI-Based Threats with AI-Driven Detection and Threat Intelligence
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Security
Why in news
The government has taken multiple measures to counter AI-driven cyber threats, including deploying AI-powered situational awareness systems, conducting 10 cybersecurity exercises involving 1,470 participants, and issuing guidelines for AI-assisted vulnerability protection. This is crucial as AI technologies lower the cost of cyberattacks and make phishing and impersonation more sophisticated.
Background
CERT-In is the national nodal agency for responding to cybersecurity incidents. With the rise of AI, cyber threats have become more automated and harder to detect, prompting proactive policy and technical measures.
Key facts
CERT-In deployed AI-powered situational awareness systems to detect malicious domains and phishing activities.
CERT-In extended AI-enabled vulnerability assessment facility in a sandbox environment for publicly available digital assets.
CERT-In operates an automated cyber threat intelligence sharing platform for customized alerts and proactive threat mitigation.
CERT-In conducted 10 specialized cybersecurity exercises and mock drills in June-July 2026 on 'Building Resilience Against Frontier AI-Powered Cyber Threats'.
The exercises involved 1,470 participants from 345 government and private organizations across sectors like power, telecom, BFSI, transport, education, health, and space.
The Certified Security Professional in Artificial Intelligence (CSPAI) program was launched in September 2024 by CERT-In and SISA, approved by ANSI-NAB.
CERT-In co-signed the joint high-level risk analysis report on AI titled 'Building Trust in AI through a Cyber-Risk-Based Approach' published by ANSSI (France) in February 2025.
CERT-In issued guidelines in June 2026 mandating AI-accelerated vulnerability protection for OEMs and technology providers.
CERT-In released a blueprint in May 2026 for mitigating and defending against AI-assisted vulnerability exploitation in digital infrastructure.
Prelims pointers
- CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team) operates under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
- CSPAI: Certified Security Professional in Artificial Intelligence – launched September 2024 by CERT-In and SISA.
- ANSSI: French National Cybersecurity Agency.
- ANSI-NAB: American National Standards Institute – National Accreditation Board.
- BFSI: Banking, Financial Services and Insurance.
Mains angles
- Discuss the challenges posed by AI-driven cyber threats and evaluate the effectiveness of government measures like AI-powered detection and vulnerability assessment.
- Critically examine the role of CERT-In in enhancing India's cyber resilience against emerging AI-based threats.
- Analyze the importance of international cooperation (e.g., co-signing ANSSI report) in addressing AI cybersecurity risks.