The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) has revealed that it faces nearly 170 million cyberattacks daily, underscoring the increasing digital threats to India’s financial infrastructure. However, the number skyrocketed to an unprecedented 400 million attacks in just 24 hours during Operation Sindoor, a large-scale simulated cyber exercise.
400 Million Attacks in One Day
Operation Sindoor was a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) simulation conducted to test the NSE’s readiness against massive cyber offensives. The exchange confirmed that the attacks came from multiple global sources attempting to overwhelm its servers. Despite the intense assault, the NSE successfully defended its systems, ensuring uninterrupted trading and operational stability.
According to senior NSE officials, millions of cyberattacks target the exchange daily, but none have succeeded in breaching its core infrastructure. “Our technical teams, supported by advanced tools and real-time monitoring systems, combat threats around the clock to ensure seamless operations,” one official said.
Inside NSE’s Cyber Defense Operations
The NSE operates twin cyber defense centers that function continuously in high-alert mode. These centers are staffed by dedicated teams of cybersecurity experts, supported by cutting-edge technology and machine learning-driven defense systems.
Journalists from Jammu and Kashmir who recently visited the exchange were given access to these facilities. They observed how NSE’s cyber warriors use upgraded software and real-time data analytics to neutralize potential breaches within seconds.
The exchange’s security framework is further strengthened by mandatory Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) for all trading members, brokers, and internal teams, ensuring every connected system meets stringent protection standards.
How Attackers Operate
During Operation Sindoor, attackers used various methods including DDoS floods, malware injections, GPS spoofing, and phishing campaigns. Maharashtra Cyber later identified seven advanced persistent threat (APT) groups behind over 1.5 million cyberattacks targeting India’s critical infrastructure after the Pahalgam terror strike earlier this year.
Despite the scale, only 150 of these attempts succeeded, a failure rate of 99.99 percent. This reflects India’s strengthened cybersecurity posture but also the persistent global attempts to infiltrate sensitive financial systems.
The Ripple Effect of a Breach
NSE officials warned that any successful breach could have widespread consequences beyond the exchange itself. “A single vulnerability in our system can impact everything connected to us,” an official noted. The interconnected nature of global finance means that a cyber incident at one exchange could trigger chain reactions across banks, traders, and investors worldwide.
They also highlighted how the growing complexity of financial technology has amplified the risk of cyberattacks. With the increasing digitization of trading and real-time settlements, even small disruptions can lead to major financial instability.
Strengthening India’s Digital Resilience
India’s financial ecosystem continues to strengthen its cyber readiness, with the NSE’s model serving as a benchmark for other institutions. The exchange plans to enhance AI-based threat detection systems and conduct regular red-team simulations to test its resilience under extreme digital pressure.
The success of Operation Sindoor demonstrates that while cyber threats are evolving faster than ever, India’s defense infrastructure is also keeping pace — combining human intelligence, machine learning, and robust security protocols to safeguard the nation’s financial backbone.
Follow Tech Moves on Instagram and Facebook for more updates on cybersecurity, fintech, and emerging technology stories shaping India’s digital future.
