New Delhi: DRDO data leak claims have raised fresh cybersecurity concerns after a Kerala-based cyber intelligence company reported that alleged Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) documents were being offered for sale on the dark web. However, DRDO sources have clarified that they are still verifying the authenticity of the report and have not confirmed that any official data breach has taken place.
What Is The Latest DRDO Data Leak Claim
A report by Alibi Global Threat Intelligence Group, based in Thiruvananthapuram, claimed that a cyber threat actor was advertising around 31 GB of alleged DRDO and military-related data on the dark web. According to the report, the data was listed for sale for $8,000 and had reportedly been available for nearly two weeks.
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DRDO Data Leak: DRDO Says Report Is Being Verified
DRDO sources have not confirmed any data breach. Instead, officials said they are verifying the authenticity of the report before making any conclusions.
At present, there is no official confirmation that DRDO systems have been compromised or that classified defence information has been leaked.
DRDO Data Leak: What Does The Alleged Data Contain
According to Alibi Global, sample documents released publicly by the alleged seller appear to include:
- Restricted technical information
- Documents linked to defence projects
- Files carrying alleged approvals or signatures of senior scientists
However, cybersecurity experts have stressed that these sample files must undergo detailed forensic analysis before their authenticity can be confirmed.
How Was The Claim Discovered
Alibi Global said it identified the listing during its routine monitoring of:
- Dark web marketplaces
- Underground cybercrime forums
- Ransomware leak websites
The company said it immediately informed the Intelligence Bureau (IB) after finding documents that appeared to be sensitive.
Its technical director, V.K. Bhadran, said government agencies must now determine whether the documents are genuine and whether any sensitive information was actually exposed.
DRDO Data Leak: Cybersecurity Experts Call For Investigation
Security experts say the claim should not be treated as confirmed until investigators complete a forensic examination. Experts will need to determine:
- Whether the documents are genuine.
- Whether they actually originated from DRDO.
- Whether another defence organisation could be the source.
- Whether any real cyber intrusion occurred.
Previous DRDO Hacking Claim
The latest report has renewed attention on an incident reported last year. In March last year, the hacking group Babuk Locker 2.0 claimed it had infiltrated DRDO systems. However, after reviewing the released documents, Indian defence authorities said there was no evidence of a successful breach of DRDO’s security systems.
Officials stated that the leaked files appeared to have come from an internet-connected computer belonging to an IAS officer rather than DRDO’s internal network.
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