The Department of Telecommunications has implemented measures to strengthen network security and prevent cyber?attacks and misuse of infrastructure, the ministry said. A system to identify and block incoming international spoofed calls displaying Indian mobile numbers has led to almost 99 per cent reduction and an online Digital Intelligence Platform enables information sharing with security agencies, police, banks, UPI providers and telecom service providers (TSPs). The ministry requires annual security audits and external audits at least once every three years.

Sanchar Saathi and a Financial Fraud Risk Indicator assist stakeholders and citizens in detecting and preventing fraud. The indicator classifies mobile numbers by medium, high or very high risk and enables banks, non?banking financial companies and UPI providers to prioritise enforcement; stakeholders report prevented fraud from declines and alerts exceeds Rs 10 billion (bn). The ministry has promoted these tools via explainer videos, multilingual campaigns, student volunteers and social media.

The portal has aided tracing and recovery of lost and stolen handsets and supported disconnection of suspicious connections reported by citizens. A total of two point seven nine six million (mn) lost and stolen handsets have been traced and zero point eight two two million (mn) have been recovered and returned to rightful owners by State and Union Territory police. Based on citizen reporting, 22.2 million (mn) mobile connections have been disconnected as not required and three point nine four two million (mn) connections were disconnected following seven hundred and seventy two thousand inputs related to suspected fraud communications.

The department requires telecom service providers to audit networks annually or when configurations change significantly and to obtain certification under international standards with vulnerability assessment and penetration testing. A Telecom Security Operations Centre has been established to enhance monitoring and coordination on telecom cyber security while cross check audits of TSPs and internet service providers (ISPs) focus on equipment, software, supply chains and data management.