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Overview of the India-UK Joint Tech Security Initiative

India and the UK have been deepening their technological and security ties through various initiatives and agreements. One of the key developments in this partnership is the India-UK Joint Tech Security Initiative, which focuses on enhancing collaboration in areas like cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI),telecommunications, and critical technologies. Building upon the bilateral cooperation agenda set out in the India-UK Roadmap 2030, which seeks to bolster cooperation across various sectors, including trade, climate change, antidefense, the UK and India launched the Joint Tech Security Initiative (TSI) on July 24, 2024. This initiative will priorities collaboration in critical and emerging technologies across priority sectors. Coordinating with the national security agencies of both countries, the TSI will set priority areas and identify interdependencies for cooperation on critical and emerging technologies. This, in turn, will help build meaningful technology value chain partnerships between India & the UK.

The TSI will be coordinated by the National Security Advisors (NSAs) of both countries through existing and new dialogues. The NSAswill set priority areas and identify interdependencies for cooperation on critical and emerging tech, helping build meaningful technology value chain partnerships between the two countries. Progress made on the initiative will be reviewed on a half-yearly basis at the Deputy NSA level. A bilateral mechanism will be established led by India's Ministry of External Affairs and the UK government for promotion of trade in critical and emerging technologies, including resolution of relevant licensing or regulatory issues. Both countries view this TSI as a platform and a strong signal of intent to build and grow sustainable and tangible partnerships across priority tech sectors. They will explore how to build a deeper strategic partnership between UK and Indian research and technology centres and Incubators, enhance cooperation across UK and India tech and innovation ecosystems, and create a channel for industry and academia to help shape the TSI.

The UK and India are launching new bilateral initiatives to expand and deepen their technology security partnership. These initiatives will focus on various domains, including telecoms, critical minerals, semiconductors, and energy security.

In telecoms, the UK and India will build a new Future Telecoms Partnership, focusing on joint research on future telecoms, open RAN systems, testbed linkups, telecoms security, spectrum innovation, software and systems architecture. This will include collaboration between UK's SONIC Labs, India's Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), and Dot's Telecoms Startup Mission.

In critical minerals, the UK and India will expand their collaboration on critical minerals, working together to improve supply chain resilience, explore possible research and development and technology partnerships along the complete critical minerals value chain, and share best practices on ESG standards. They will establish a roadmap for cooperation and establish a UK-India ‘critical minerals’ community of academics, innovators, and industry.

Key Areas of Collaboration:

• Strengthening cybersecurity defense and enhancing resilience through joint cybersecurity exercises and information-sharing and developing common standards and best practices while collaborating with their respective organisations, ie, CERT-In and NCSC.
• Promotion of ethical AI development and deployment with AI ethics guidelines and frameworks, and efforts encouraging academic collaborations. Support for new partnerships between UK and Indian research organizations alongside existing joint programmes using AI to tackle global challenges.
• Building secure and resilient telecom infrastructure with a focus on security and exchange of expertise and regulatory cooperation. Collaboration on Open Radio Access Networks tech to name as an example.
• Critical and emerging technologies development by advancing research and innovation in the quantum, semiconductors and biotechnology niches. Promoting and investing in tech startups and innovation ecosystems. Engaging in policy dialogues on tech governance and standards.
• Digital economy and trade facilitation to promote economic growth by enhancing frameworks and agreements for it. Collaborating on digital payment systems and fintech solutions and most importantly promoting data protection and privacy standards.

Outlook and Impact on the Industry

The initiative sets out a new approach for how the UK and India work together on the defining technologies of this decade. These include areas such as telecoms, critical minerals, AI, quantum, health/biotechnology, advanced materials and semiconductors. While the initiative looks promising, several challenges need to be addressed such as the need to put robust regulatory frameworks in place, and develop a balanced approach for data privacy and information exchange in the cross-border data flows. It is imperative to install mechanisms that ensure that intellectual property is protected while the facilitation of technology transfer is not hampered. Above all, geopolitical risks need to be navigated in a manner that the tensions are reduced and a stable partnership grows. The Initiative builds on a series of partnerships between India and the UK, as well as between industry and academia.  Abilateral mechanism, led by India’s Ministry of External Affairs and the UK government, will promote trade in critical and emerging technologies, including the resolution of relevant licensing or regulatory issues.

Conclusion

This initiative, at its core, will drive forward a bilateral partnership that is framed on boosting economic growth and deepening cooperation across key issues including trade, technology, education, culture and climate.  By combining their strengths, the UK and India are poised to create a robust framework for technological innovation and security that could serve as a model for international cooperation in tech.

References

• https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-uk-launch-joint-tech-security-initiative-101721876539784.html
• https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-india-technology-security-initiative-factsheet/uk-india-technology-security-initiative-factsheet
• https://www.business-standard.com/economy/news/india-uk-unveil-futuristic-technology-security-initiative-to-seal-fta-soon-124072500014_1.htm
• https://bharatshakti.in/india-uk-technology-security-initiative/

Introduction

Deepfakes are artificial intelligence (AI) technology that employs deep learning to generate realistic-looking but phoney films or images. Algorithms use large volumes of data to analyse and discover patterns in order to provide compelling and realistic results. Deepfakes use this technology to modify movies or photos to make them appear as if they involve events or persons that never happened or existed.The procedure begins with gathering large volumes of visual and auditory data about the target individual, which is usually obtained from publicly accessible sources such as social media or public appearances. This data is then utilised for training a deep-learning model to resemble the target of deep fakes.

Recent Cases of Deepfakes-‍

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In an unusual turn of events, a man from northern China became the victim of a sophisticated deep fake technology. This incident has heightened concerns about using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to aid financial crimes, putting authorities and the general public on high alert.
During a video conversation, a scammer successfully impersonated the victim’s close friend using AI-powered face-swapping technology. The scammer duped the unwary victim into transferring 4.3 million yuan (nearly Rs 5 crore). The fraud occurred in Baotou, China.

AI ‘deep fakes’ of innocent images fuel spike in sextortion scams
Artificial intelligence-generated “deepfakes” are fuelling sextortion frauds like a dry brush in a raging wildfire. According to the FBI, the number of nationally reported sextortion instances came to 322% between February 2022 and February 2023, with a notable spike since April due to AI-doctored photographs. And as per the FBI, innocent photographs or videos posted on social media or sent in communications can be distorted into sexually explicit, AI-generated visuals that are “true-to-life” and practically hard to distinguish. According to the FBI, predators often located in other countries use doctored AI photographs against juveniles to compel money from them or their families or to obtain actual sexually graphic images.

Deepfake Applications

• Lensa AI.
• Deepfakes Web.
• Reface.
• MyHeritage.
• DeepFaceLab.
• Deep Art.
• Face Swap Live.
• FaceApp.

Deepfake examples

There are numerous high-profile Deepfake examples available. Deepfake films include one released by actor Jordan Peele, who used actual footage of Barack Obama and his own imitation of Obama to convey a warning about Deepfake videos.
A video shows Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg discussing how Facebook ‘controls the future’ with stolen user data, most notably on Instagram. The original video is from a speech he delivered on Russian election meddling; only 21 seconds of that address were used to create the new version. However, the vocal impersonation fell short of Jordan Peele’s Obama and revealed the truth.

The dark side of AI-Generated Misinformation

• Misinformation generated by AI-generated the truth, making it difficult to distinguish fact from fiction.
• People can unmask AI content by looking for discrepancies and lacking the human touch.
• AI content detection technologies can detect and neutralise disinformation, preventing it from spreading.

Safeguards against Deepfakes-

Technology is not the only way to guard against Deepfake videos. Good fundamental security methods are incredibly effective for combating Deepfake.For example, incorporating automatic checks into any mechanism for disbursing payments might have prevented numerous Deepfake and related frauds. You might also:

• Regular backups safeguard your data from ransomware and allow you to restore damaged data.
• Using different, strong passwords for different accounts ensures that just because one network or service has been compromised, it does not imply that others have been compromised as well. You do not want someone to be able to access your other accounts if they get into your Facebook account.
• To secure your home network, laptop, and smartphone against cyber dangers, use a good security package such as Kaspersky Total Security. This bundle includes anti-virus software, a VPN to prevent compromised Wi-Fi connections, and webcam security.

What is the future of Deepfake –

Deepfake is constantly growing. Deepfake films were easy to spot two years ago because of the clumsy movement and the fact that the simulated figure never looked to blink. However, the most recent generation of bogus videos has evolved and adapted.
There are currently approximately 15,000 Deepfake videos available online. Some are just for fun, while others attempt to sway your opinion. But now that it only takes a day or two to make a new Deepfake, that number could rise rapidly.

Conclusion-

The distinction between authentic and fake content will undoubtedly become more challenging to identify as technology advances. As a result, experts feel it should not be up to individuals to discover deep fakes in the wild. “The responsibility should be on the developers, toolmakers, and tech companies to create invisible watermarks and signal what the source of that image is,” they stated. Several startups are also working on approaches for detecting deep fakes.

Executive Summary:

Cyber incidents are evolving along with time, they are designed to attract and lure people through social networking sites and/or messaging services. In the recent past a spate of messages alleging that TRAI is offering ‘3 months free recharge with free voice calls and internet for 4g/5g with 200 GB free data’. These messages display the TRAI logo with attractive offers to trick the users into revealing their personal details. This blog discusses the functioning of this free mobile recharge scheme, its methods and guidelines on how to avoid such fake schemes. This blog explains the importance of vigilance and verification when receiving any links, emphasizing the need to report suspicious activities and educate others to prevent identity theft and protect personal information. 

Claim:

The message circulated an  enticing offer: free mobile recharge for 3 months which provides unlimited  free voice calls with 200GB 4G/5G data with TRAI logo. The key characteristics of the false claims are

• Official Branding: The logo of TRAI has been viewed as a deceptive facade of credibility. 

• Unrealistic Offers: It is accompanied by a free recharge , which is intended for an extended period indefinite period, like most fraudsters’ bait. 

• Urgency and Exclusivity: The offer is for a limited time to make urgency forcing the receiver to take the offer without confirmation. 

 The Deceptive Scheme:

Organized systematically, the fraudulent campaign usually proceeds in several steps, all of which aim at extracting  the victim’s personal data. Here’s a breakdown of the scheme:

1. Initial Contact:  Such messages or calls reach the users’ inboxes or phone numbers through social media applications such as WhatsApp or through text messages. These messages further implies that the user was chosen for the special offer from TRAI, which elicits the interest of the user. 

 2. Information Request: To claim the purported offer, users are directed to a website or asked to reply with personal details, including:

•  Phone number 
•  State of residence 
•  SIM provider details 

This is useful for the scammers as they harvest information which can be used to conduct identity theft or sold to others on the shady part of the internet known as the ‘Dark Web’. 

3. Fake Confirmation: After providing all the information, a congratulatory message appears on the screen showing that their phone number is eligible for the offer. The user is compelled to forward the message to many phone numbers through whatsapp to get the offer. 

 4. Pressure Tactics: The  message often implies a sense of time constraint or fear which psychologically produces pressure to provide all the user information. For example, users are given messages such as that if they do not ‘act now’, they will lose their mobile service. 

Analyzing the Fraudulent Campaign 

The TRAI fraudulent recharge scheme case depicts that  social engineering is used in cyber crimes. Here are some key aspects that characterize this campaign:

• Sophisticated Social Engineering 

Scammers take advantage of the holders’ confidence in official bodies such as TRAI. By using official TRAI logos, official language they try to deceive even cautious people. 

• Viral Spread 

The user is compelled to share the given message to friends and groups; this is an excellent strategy to spread the scam. It not only spreads the fraudulent message but also tries to extract the details of other people. 

• Technical Analysis

• Domain Name: SGOFF[.]CYOU
• Registry Domain ID: D472308342-CNIC
• Registrar WHOIS Server: whois.hkdns.hk
• Registrar URL: http://www.hkdns.hk
• Updated Date: 2024-07-24T18:50:48.0Z
• Creation Date: 2024-07-19T18:48:44.0Z
• Registry Expiry Date: 2025-07-19T23:59:59.0Z
• Registrar: West263 International Limited
• Registrar IANA ID: 1915
• Registrant State/Province: Anhui
• Registrant Country: CN
• Name Server: NORMAN.NS.CLOUDFLARE.COM
• Name Server: PAM.NS.CLOUDFLARE.COM
• DNSSEC: unsigned

Cloudflare Inc. is used to cover the scam. The real website always uses the older domain while this url has been registered recently which indicates that this link is a scam.  

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The  graph indicates that some of the communicated files and websites are malicious.

CyberPeace Advisory and Best Practice:

In light of the growing threat posed by such scams, the Research Wing of CyberPeace recommend the following best practices to help users protect themselves: 

1. Verify Communications: It is always advisable to visit the official site of the organization or call the official contact numbers of the company to speak to their customer care and clarify about the offers. 

2. Do not share personal information: No genuine organization will call the people for personal information.  Step carefully and do not provide personal  information that will lead to identity theft when dealing with such offers. 

3. Report Fraudulent Activity: If one receives any calls or messages that seem to be suspicious, then the user can report cyber crimes to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal on www. cybercrime. gov. in or call on 1930. Such scams are reportable and assist the authorities in tracking and fighting the vice. 

4. Educate Others : Always raise awareness among friends by sharing these kinds of scams. Educating people helps to avoid them falling prey to such fraudulent schemes. 

5. Use Reliable Resources :  Always refer to official sources or websites for any kind of offers or promotions.

Conclusion:

The free recharge scheme for 3 months with the logo of TRAI is a fraudulent scam. There is no official information from TRAI or in their official website about this free recharge scheme. Though the scheme looks attractive, it is deceptive.  Through this, the scammers are trying to collect personal details of the individual. Before clicking any links, it is necessary to check the authenticity of the information, report these kinds of incidents to spread awareness among people. Always be safe and be vigilant.  

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