Zscaler’s ThreatLabz 2024 Mobile, IoT, and OT Threat Report has unveiled concerning trends in cybersecurity, particularly for India. Covering data from June 2023 to May 2024, the report shows India as the top target for mobile malware globally, accounting for 28% of incidents. This surpasses the United States at 27.3% and Canada at 15.9%. India’s leap from third to first place underscores the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity, especially as digital transformation accelerates.
The report also indicates that India dominates the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, representing 66.5% of mobile malware attacks. This increase aligns with a surge in advanced phishing campaigns targeting mobile users of major private Indian banks. Attackers employ fake banking sites closely resembling authentic ones, tricking users into revealing sensitive information.
On a positive note, India improved its position in controlling outbound threats, ranking 7th in APAC as a malware origin point, compared to 5th place last year. In this category, Singapore, China, and South Korea lead the region.
Suvabrata Sinha, CISO-in-Residence at Zscaler, emphasized that legacy systems and unsecured IoT/OT environments are prime targets for cybercriminals. He highlighted the need for Indian enterprises to adopt a Zero Trust security framework to safeguard critical operations and maintain business continuity in an interconnected world.
Globally, the report uncovered over 200 malicious apps on the Google Play Store, collectively downloaded more than 8 million times. Additionally, Zscaler noted a 45% year-over-year surge in IoT malware transactions, reflecting the growing presence of botnets in IoT devices.
Deepen Desai, Zscaler’s Chief Security Officer, stressed the importance of addressing legacy system vulnerabilities. He emphasized the role of AI-driven vishing and mobile malware attacks, urging CISOs and CIOs to implement AI-powered Zero Trust solutions to mitigate evolving cyber threats.
