Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi has sounded a stark warning about the growing cyber vulnerabilities in India’s maritime domain as the country’s ports and naval systems rapidly digitize. Speaking at a seminar on the “Impact of Cyber-attacks in the Maritime Sector,” Admiral Tripathi said the implications of a cyber disruption across India’s 12 major ports, over 200 smaller ports, and an 11,000-kilometre coastline could be “enormous” for national security and global trade stability.

“The seas are our global commons. A cyber disruption at sea, or in any major port, does not remain confined to one nation’s boundaries,” Tripathi cautioned, adding that such incidents can “ripple across supply chains, distort global markets, and even unsettle diplomatic equations.” He cited the 2021 Suez Canal blockade and recent cyberattacks on shipping networks worldwide as wake-up calls for India’s maritime preparedness.

At the same seminar, Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Jitin Prasada, revealed that during the four-day Operation Sindoor military standoff, India faced millions of cyberattacks — including a record 40 crore attacks on the National Stock Exchange in a single day. He noted that while the military frontlines held strong, “a silent and parallel cyber battle” was fought and won against phishing, disinformation, and misinformation campaigns.

Also Read: PM Modi to Celebrate Diwali at Sea with Navy Heroes After Operation Sindoor Triumph

Experts and officials from the defence ministry, CERT-In, and the Indian Navy underscored the fragmented oversight across maritime cybersecurity, calling for a unified framework. CERT-In Director General Sanjay Bahl revealed that a dedicated Maritime CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team) framework has been in development for several years and awaits finalisation. The proposed agency would coordinate responses, set standards, and ensure rapid action during cyber incidents.

With India’s maritime sector contributing nearly 27% of national GDP and handling 95% of its trade, Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti stressed that cyber resilience is no longer optional but essential. “In cyber terms, these are not merely attacks on systems; they are strikes on the very arteries of the global economy,” Admiral Tripathi concluded.

Also Read: Indian Navy’s New Warship ‘Androth’ Joins Fleet Today