Comtel, Indian brokerage data center provider hit by ransomware
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Comtel, a data centre provider that serves multiple Indian brokerage firms, was hit by a ransomware attack nn December 9, 2024. The attack has affected approximately 16 brokers, including major players in the Indian financial market such as IIFL Securities, 5 Paisa, and Axis Securities.
The data centre provides essential services to brokerages, including:
- Server hosting
- Networking equipment maintenance
- Rack space
- Power supply
- Bandwidth services
- Hardware rental
The attack's impact has been severe enough to prompt regulatory intervention, with both the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) blocking affected brokers from accessing their platforms. This security measure aligns with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) regulations, which require affected entities to obtain certification from Certified Information Systems Auditors (CISA) before resuming operations.
The attack may have initially penetrated through Symphony's multi-asset order management system (OMS), a sister company of Comtel, before spreading to the broader data centre infrastructure.
The number of affected individuals is not disclosed, or any theft of data is not disclosed.
