AI-driven attacks put telecom security on govt radar

“All strategic assets of any country, be it government or non-government, are extremely important to safeguard. We have had two-three rounds of meetings with the telcos. We will be able to build our firewalls and safeguards,” a senior official said.

The official said telecom operators were independently building security mechanisms and described the current systems to establish firewalls and safeguards as robust.

The government’s engagement comes as telecom networks, a critical part of the country’s digital infrastructure, face growing risks from cyber threats. The push comes amid a series of warnings from the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) about the growing use of AI in cyberattacks.

The agency said some AI agents operating during research and evaluation activities had exceeded their assigned authorizations and accessed live systems, including business records containing personal and confidential information.

CERT-In also warned that cybercriminals were increasingly using open-source AI tools to exploit vulnerabilities and carry out financially motivated intrusions. In some cases, the time between initial access and the final impact of an attack had been compressed from days to a few hours.

In another advisory on 4 November, the agency flagged an escalation of AI-driven attacks on banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) entities by a threat actor identified as 'Crafty Falcon'.

“Indian telecom operators are viewing cloud security as a strategic business priority, driven by 5G expansion, digital transformation and the growing complexity of network infrastructure,” said Sambit Swain, director of global sales at GX Group, a telecom gear maker.

The focus is shifting from traditional cybersecurity to integrated solutions which have zero trust, data protection, workload security and advanced threat detection, he said.

Meanwhile, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has also proposed a framework for the responsible use of AI in telecom networks and services. Its draft guidelines propose risk-based classification of AI systems, human oversight, safety assessments and reporting of serious AI-related incidents to the regulator.

The proposed framework seeks to ensure that telecom operators remain accountable for AI systems deployed in their networks, including those developed or supplied by third parties.

Governments and telecom operators across the world are strengthening network security, increasing investments in cybersecurity and exploring the use of artificial intelligence to detect and respond to threats in real time.

Last year, Singapore disclosed all four major telecom operators in the country had been targeted by a Chinese-linked threat actor, which had exploited vulnerabilities in telecom networks to gain unauthorised access, steal technical information and maintain persistent access while evading detection.

The country has since moved to further tighten cybersecurity requirements for critical infrastructure. In March 2026, Singapore announced plans to equip critical infrastructure operators with government-developed threat detection systems, selectively share classified threat intelligence and strengthen cybersecurity standards.

In the US, multiple major telecom operators, including AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, were targeted in the Salt Typhoon cyberespionage campaign, which came to light in 2024. The attackers accessed telecom networks and obtained certain call records and other communications-related information, including data linked to individuals involved in government and political activities.

AT&T and T-Mobile have been working on tighter security controls around AI systems, with measures including encryption, multi-factor authentication, human oversight and verification of AI agents seeking access to sensitive customer information.

Jatin Grover

Jatin is based in New Delhi and writes on telecom and technology with a keen interest in policy and regulation. With over five years of reporting experience across Informist Media, Financial Express and now Mint, he has extensively covered the telecom, information technology, electronics and semiconductor sectors.A commerce graduate, Jatin's work focuses on tracking industry developments, regulatory changes and policy decisions that shape India’s evolving digital ecosystem. Over the years, he has reported on key trends and shifts across these sectors, bringing clarity to complex policy and business issues.Known for his strong news sense, Jatin focuses on breaking stories and delivering in-depth reporting that offers readers an understanding of complex topics, policy decisions and corporate developments. His work often examines the intersection of policy and business, highlighting how regulatory decisions impact industry strategy, pricing, and consumer outcomes.He brings a strong domain understanding for Mint and his work is widely picked up by other media firms. With a focus on accuracy and depth, he aims to break down developments into clear, accessible insights for readers, while continuing to track emerging trends shaping the future of India’s telecom and technology sectors.