Karnataka police in India have initiated an investigation into a cyber attack targeting the Kaveri 2.0 portal, a crucial platform for property transactions and registrations in the state. The attack, which disrupted services across multiple sub-registrar offices, led to the creation of fake accounts by unknown individuals and attempts to extract sensitive data. An FIR was filed under the Information Technology Act following a complaint from KA Dayanand, inspector general of registration, and the investigation was confirmed by Central DCP Shekar H Tekkannavar.
Authorities discovered that the attackers accessed the Kaveri 2.0 portal and initiated over 620,000 malicious requests within two hours, eight times the usual volume.
The surge in requests led to server issues, halting property registration services across the state. The attack, which occurred last month, primarily targeted government systems, highlighting the vulnerability of critical infrastructure.
In response to the attack, Karnataka’s revenue minister Krishna Byre Gowda emphasized the seriousness of the incident and announced that a thorough investigation is underway. He also mentioned that if the attack was deliberate, legal action would be pursued against those responsible. The minister assured the public that efforts were being made to restore the system and mitigate future risks by conducting an independent security audit of the department’s IT systems.
Despite the disruptions caused by the attack, which affected property transactions for two months and led to significant operational challenges, the Kaveri 2.0 system has now been restored. The minister acknowledged the strain on officials and the revenue losses incurred but reassured citizens that the system was functioning normally again, with plans for improved security measures in place to prevent similar attacks in the future.
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