BSNL Suffers Major Data Breach Affecting User and Operational Data

Government telecom company Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has suffered a major setback. Hackers have attacked its servers and allegedly obtained data of users and businesses. Hackers claim that they have SIM card details, home location register data and important security keys related to the service. It is feared that the stolen data can also be used for SIM card cloning, identity theft and extortion.

A media Report In a report, digital risk management firm Athenian Tech has been quoted as saying that a hacker named ‘kiberphant0m’ is behind this cyber attack. This could be the hacker’s dark web forum username. However, it is not confirmed whether this hack has been done by an individual or a group of hackers. The report says that about 278 GB of data has been stolen from BSNL’s telecom business. This also includes snapshots of servers which can be used for re-attack and security-related risks. International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) numbers, SIM card details, PIN codes, authentication keys and other important information have been stolen in this cyber attack.

According to this report, the hacker has offered to sell the stolen data. In the last financial year BSNL The net loss of the company was reduced to Rs 5,367 crore. In the previous financial year, the company’s net loss was Rs 8,161 crore. The main reasons behind the reduction in its loss are reduction in expenses and increase in non-operating income.

BSNL’s revenue from operations rose marginally to Rs 19,343.6 crore. However, it was less than the target of Rs 20,000 crore set by the central government. The company’s revenue from cellular services and enterprise segment declined in the last financial year. Its expenses fell by about 2.5 percent to Rs 26,683 crore. However, the company’s employee cost increased by 4.4 percent to Rs 8,034 crore. BSNL is facing tough competition from private telecom companies. It is launching its 4G service. Big private telecom companies like Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio have started their 5G network across the country. This has also increased the number of subscribers of these companies.