Cybersecurity Alert: Telangana police network breached, hacker threatens Delhi police as next target
HYDERABAD: Days after hacking the Telangana Hawk Eye App, an unknown hacker has hacked the entire Telangana State Police network, multiple Telangana police apps, and the Telangana TSCOPS app, which is used for facial recognition, fingerprint collection, case management, and all sorts of details related to crime. The hacker has issued a warning stating that they have completed hacking the Telangana Police and are now targeting the Delhi Police.
Recently, it was learned that a hacker breached the personal data of around 2 lakh users of Hawk Eye, the Telangana Police ‘citizen-friendly’ app, and posted the data on the Breach Forums on May 29, 2024, by an anonymous user.
Someone hacked entire @TelanganaCOPs network including TSCOP, their facial recognition setup. This is very very easy because the company which built this software, WINC IT Services has harcoded (embedded passwords as plaint text) inside TSCOP. The TSCOP connects to CCTNS. pic.twitter.com/aLtmY09le1
— Srinivas Kodali (@digitaldutta) June 7, 2024
Lack of understanding of cybersecurity
While speaking to the Hyderabad Mail, Srinivas Kodali, a leading data security researcher, disclosed that “the hacker gained access to the entire police databases of Telangana, which has the largest policing infrastructure, including facial recognition technology and a large command and control centre equipped with various technical tools. This breach indicates a lack of understanding of cybersecurity in the modernization efforts of the Telangana police force.”
“Some unknown party hacked into their entire setup. The problem is that the police have surveillance powers, which means they can access everybody’s personal details, and they have been doing so without following the law and illegally. Most of the time, the police stop us and take a photograph of our faces for facial recognition without issuing a warrant. All of that setup was breached,” said the data security researcher.
“The police have been unlawfully collecting all of our personal information, leaving all of us vulnerable. The police are supposed to keep our records secure, but this breach shows that they can’t even protect their systems. If they can’t safeguard their own systems, how can they be trusted to protect society? This breach reveals the incompetence of the police department. They implement these systems without respecting citizens’ privacy. This comes in the wake of an internal police surveillance scandal, where the police are investigating their intelligence officials,” said Srinivas Kodali, a data security researcher.
CM Revanth Reddy reorganizes disaster management for Greater Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has decided to assign critical responsibilities to the Disaster Management Department within Greater Hyderabad. He has directed officials to implement structural changes and redistribute responsibilities accordingly. In a review meeting at the Secretariat on Monday evening, the Chief Minister discussed the reorganization with officials from Municipal Administration, HMDA, and Musi Development.
Expansion of disaster management responsibilities
Recognizing the geographic expansion of Hyderabad, the Chief Minister ordered the Disaster Management Department to extend its jurisdiction to the Outer Ring Road. He suggested including GHMC, 27 surrounding municipalities and corporations, and 33 gram panchayats within its service area. The department will be renamed the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring Protection (HYDRA). The Chief Minister proposed appointing a DIG-level officer as the director and SP-level officers as additional directors. He also recommended special teams from GHMC, HMDA, the Water Board, city traffic, and other departments to join this new division.
The Chief Minister emphasized the need for the Disaster Management Department to offer continuous services to city residents, not just during floods or emergencies. HYDRA should actively address all issues faced by Hyderabad’s citizens, including preserving the city’s tanks and ponds, protecting government properties from encroachments, and managing hoardings and flex banners. Additionally, HYDRA will oversee water pipelines, electricity supply lines, drainage, flood management, and traffic control.
Focus on heritage and infrastructure projects
Chief Minister Reddy directed the acceleration of the Musi River Development Project, aiming to elevate Hyderabad’s international reputation. He stressed the importance of working towards the government’s goal of transforming this project into a landmark. He also ordered officials to take necessary actions to restore historical buildings and structures within the city. The GHMC presented a PowerPoint on various heritage sites, such as the City Library, Charminar Ayurvedic Hospital, and Nizamia Observatory etc. The Chief Minister encouraged exploring ways to develop these sites for tourism and integrating feasible ones into the Musi River Development Project.
The Chief Minister instructed Chief Secretary Shantikumar to draft a comprehensive reorganization plan, including staffing, duties, and budget allocations for HYDRA. He also emphasized identifying key areas where the Disaster Management Department can enhance its operations.
The meeting included Chief Secretary Shantikumar, Principal Secretary of Municipal Administration and Urban Development Danakishore, GHMC Commissioner Amrapali, GHMC Vigilance Disaster Management Commissioner A.V. Ranganath, and Hyderabad Water Board MD Ashok Reddy.
