RBI Thwarts Over 61 Million Cyberattack Attempts in Q3 FY26; No Breach Reported

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recorded over 61 million cyberattack attempts on its website during the October–December 2025 quarter, highlighting the growing intensity of threats targeting critical financial infrastructure. According to Executive Director P. Vasudevan, all attempts were successfully blocked, with no security breach reported.

Cyberattack Attempts Surge Sharply

The volume of cyber threats has seen a steep rise over the past year. Attack attempts increased from 19 million in the April–June 2025 quarter to 31 million in July–September, before nearly doubling to 61 million in the following quarter.

Officials noted that the RBI’s website remains a frequent target due to its critical role in the financial system. Despite the surge in attack attempts, robust security systems have ensured that no intrusion has been successful so far.

AI Strengthens RBI’s Cyber Defence

To counter evolving cyber risks, the central bank has been increasingly integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its cybersecurity framework. AI systems are being used to monitor incoming traffic, detect unusual patterns, and trace the origin of potential threats.

This proactive approach enables early identification of vulnerabilities and helps prevent attacks before they escalate. The RBI is also exploring broader use of AI across digital operations, including fraud detection, transaction processing, and customer support systems.

Digital Payment Systems See Strong Adoption

Alongside strengthening cybersecurity, the RBI highlighted the growing scale of its digital payment initiatives. The standing instruction (e-mandate) framework, introduced in October 2021, has gained significant traction.

In February 2026 alone, around 876 million mandates were processed with a success rate exceeding 99%. The system has also expanded globally, with nearly 45,000 international merchants adopting it.

Similarly, card tokenisation has witnessed steady adoption. So far, over 117 crore tokens have been created, supporting transactions worth approximately ₹15 lakh crore without major disruptions.

Read more: Delhi Budget 2026-27: ₹7,887 Crore Urban Push, Focus on Roads, Drainage and Connectivity.

Conclusion

The sharp rise in cyberattack attempts underscores the increasing risks faced by financial institutions in a digital-first ecosystem. However, the RBI’s strong defence mechanisms and adoption of advanced technologies like AI have ensured system resilience. As digital payments continue to scale rapidly, maintaining robust cybersecurity will remain a key priority for the central bank.

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