Kolkata: The Bengal Police has started an investigation after noticing that the state cyber crime wing (CCW) data centre, which is used for confidential cyber crime investigations, has been compromised.The police, who have already spoken to the private company that manages the data centre, are not prima facie convinced by their defence of a ransomware attack that led to the data-leak. They lodged an FIR with Bidhannagar cyber crime PS, suspecting that the data could also be compromised due to sabotage on the part of the private firm.“On July 28 morning, a total service disruption was reported. Officials of the private company who visited the site verbally claimed a ransomware attack encrypted all data and storage systems. Preliminary visual inspection revealed a ransom note. The CCW, however, suspects deliberate sabotage, noting that the vendor maintained exclusive remote access to the data centre during the attack,” the complaint filed by the OC, computer cell of Cyber Crime Wing, stated.A data centre is a specialised facility that houses computer systems and related equipment, such as servers, storage devices, networking hardware, and power supplies. It is designed to store, process, and manage large amounts of digital data and applications. In this case, the data centre hosts sensitive law enforcement tools like the CAT C5 application, which filters out App to App calls (VoIP) for hassle-free investigations, used statewide for multiple software and internet protocol-related data analysis.According to the complaint, the private firm was selected as the L1 bidder through an e-tender floated by Webel Technology Ltd in Dec 2023. The vendor was contracted to supply, install, and commission servers, storage, and software licences under the West Bengal Police’s State Grid Project. The system was installed on Sept 30, 2024.“Despite repeated reminders and meetings, including a high-level discussion on July 25 at the DG & IGP Cyber Crime Wing’s office, the officials allegedly refused to hand over administrative control and access credentials of the state’s central data centre. Just two days later, on July 27, multiple districts reported VPN disconnections and access issues with the C5 application,” the complaint said.According to sources, several officers have also been questioned for their alleged role in this breach, and some actions have been taken against some officials. “Multiple senior officers are also under lens,” a senior state police officer said.Cops said the probe is on under multiple BNS sections related to criminal conspiracy, cheating, and criminal breach of trust alongside sections under the IT Act.
Click Here For The Original Source.
