The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has announced that UPI, IPMS, and other payment systems of certain banks will be temporarily unavailable to customers due to a ransomware attack on C-Edge Technologies, a service provider to several banks.
In a statement, NPCI explained, “To prevent a larger impact on the payment ecosystem, NPCI has temporarily isolated C-Edge Technologies from accessing the retail payment systems operated by NPCI. Customers of banks serviced by C-Edge will not be able to access payment systems during the period of isolation.”
C-Edge Technologies primarily provides services to cooperative and regional rural banks. NPCI noted, “It has been brought to our notice that C-Edge Technologies, a technology service provider who caters mostly to cooperative and regional rural banks, has been possibly impacted by a ransomware attack affecting a few of their systems.”
Restoration efforts are underway with NPCI working closely with C-Edge Technologies. “Restoration work is underway on a war footing along with C-Edge Technologies, and a necessary security review is in process. Connectivity to the affected banks shall be restored at the earliest,” NPCI assured.
A ransomware attack involves malware that encrypts a victim’s data or locks them out of their systems, with attackers demanding a ransom payment to restore access. Such attacks can significantly disrupt services, as seen in the current situation affecting banking services.
As the restoration efforts continue, customers of the affected banks are advised to remain patient and stay informed through official updates from their respective banks and NPCI.
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