SLCERT vigilant on cyber attacks
Sri Lanka Cybersecurity Emergency Response Team (SLCERT) is on the watch, especially on attacks from Western countries, top officials said.
“We have noticed that May, November, and December are when we have the most cyber-attacks. This has been happening for over a decade,” a top official told The Sunday Times Business on Thursday.
With SLCERT watching over state agency computer systems, guidelines are constantly sent to government sector institutions, he added. However, he noted that despite sending guidelines most government agencies and institutions tend to follow them very haphazardly, which is the reason why most are prone to cyberattacks.
Channa De Silva, CEO FINCSIRT (established as a centralised body) coordinating security efforts within the banking and financial sector, and Director Lanka Pay told The Sunday Times Business on Thursday that without the Cybersecurity Act being passed, SLCERT doesn’t have the power to enforce action.
He also said that a total of 53 phishing websites were taken down by FinCSIRT this year.
CERT warned users about the specific dangers of sharing one-time passwords (OTP) through platforms like WhatsApp, as this can inadvertently allow criminals access to their accounts. Once they have access, these intruders may extend their fraudulent activities to the victims’ contacts as well. The organisation has observed a notable rise in such crimes, highlighting the importance of exercising caution.
Sri Lanka’s Meteorological Department’s website was disrupted by a cyber-attack two weeks ago, prompting SLCERT to manage the recovery efforts. Initial investigations show no data was accessed or stolen, and that SLCERT has restored the website’s functionality and security. SLCERT noted that during the investigation, it was found that there was a vulnerability in the system. Now, a server and a website assessment at the Meteorological Department are being done. The officials said that the department is trying to find out whether to upgrade the system or to go for a new system.
Eranga Weeraratna, Minister of the Digital Economic Ministry told The Sunday Times Business that the Online Safety Bill yet to be passed will address all these issues. “We have planned consultations, several amendments and proper reliefs to this bill and then we’ll get it through the parliament.”
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