Tue Feb 11 19:32:46 UTC 2025: ## Karnataka’s Kaveri 2.0 Property Portal Crippled by AI-Powered DDoS Attack

**Bengaluru, February 12, 2025** – Karnataka’s online property registration portal, Kaveri 2.0, suffered a significant setback after falling victim to a sophisticated distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack carried out using AI-powered bots. The attack, which began in December 2024 and intensified in late January and early February, brought the portal to a near standstill, halting property registrations across the state and potentially causing substantial revenue losses.

This is the latest in a series of cyberattacks targeting Karnataka’s critical infrastructure. Previous incidents include the 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack on the Karnataka State Data Centre, the 2019 hacking of the e-procurement portal resulting in ₹11.5 crore in losses, and a 2022 attack on the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences.

The lack of coordination between the e-Governance Department, responsible for the portal’s operation, and the state cyber crime police is a major concern. The police were only informed of the attack on February 7th, days after the Revenue Department claimed to have “fixed” the issues. Experts criticize this delayed response, highlighting that earlier police involvement could have mitigated the attack in real-time. Internal resistance within departments to involve the police is also suspected.

Despite a 2023 Karnataka Cyber Security Policy outlining a Cyber Security Committee, this committee lacks police representation, contrasting sharply with the national-level cyber security architecture. Experts are urging the state to establish a similar robust structure with clear standard operating procedures and a dedicated control room comprising technical experts and law enforcement.

A proposed ₹20 crore Cyber Security Operation Centre, similar to national models, was dropped from the state budget after a change in government in May 2023. This is particularly concerning given Bengaluru’s status as a cybercrime hotspot, as highlighted by a 2023 report by the Future Crime Research Foundation.

The incident underscores the urgent need for improved cybersecurity infrastructure and inter-departmental coordination in Karnataka to protect critical data and prevent future attacks. The state’s current response is deemed inadequate, especially considering the frequency of attacks and the significant financial and operational consequences.

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