As digital transformation accelerates across industries, organisations—especially those with long-established infrastructures—face increasing cybersecurity threats and complex transitions to digital frameworks.
According to a senior official, cyberattacks have become more sophisticated, leveraging general-use technology, such as pagers, in unexpected ways. This shift forces organisations to rethink security measures to keep pace with a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
“From a technology perspective, incidents often occur suddenly, and even tools not typically on the radar are weaponised in ways we could not have anticipated,” DIG Bibhuti Ranjan, Indian Coast Guard told TechObserver.in, highlighting how general-use technologies are now exploited for cyberattacks.
According to DIG Ranjan, such unethical use of technology creates unforeseen risks, requiring constant vigilance and adaptation.
Stating that this evolving cybersecurity threat is accompanied by the inherent challenges of digital transformation, particularly for organisations that were not “born digital,” DIG Ranjan noted that the Indian Coast Guard, like many traditional organisations, faces the daunting task of transitioning from a foundational structure to a fully digital one.
“Our biggest challenge is to migrate from a formative organisation to the digital world,” he said, adding that for established entities, this shift requires extensive integration of historical data into modern digital platforms, a process that demands both time and resources.
In contrast, senior maritime security official said that the newly founded organisations have the advantage of building on digital foundations, which allows them to grow seamlessly alongside evolving technologies. Established organisations, however, face the dual challenge of bridging the gap between legacy systems and current technology.
The Coast Guard leader pointed out that starting on a digital platform enables newer entities to adapt quickly, while established organisations must incorporate legacy systems without compromising on current and future advancements.
The rapid pace of technological progress compounds these challenges. For organisations playing catch-up, the race against advancing digital tools is a significant hurdle.
“Technology is galloping at a very fast pace,” DIG Ranjan noted, stressing the need for strategic agility in managing legacy infrastructure while preparing for continuous innovation. According to him, this balancing act is crucial to ensuring cybersecurity and operational efficiency as organisations navigate an increasingly digital landscape.
For the Indian Coast Guard and similar organisations, successfully integrating legacy infrastructure with new technology is essential yet formidable, requiring strategic investments and robust security measures to stay ahead of emerging threats.
As organisations across sectors contend with the demands of digital transformation, DIG Ranjan said that a proactive approach to cybersecurity and a well-planned transition to digital systems will be indispensable in the years to come.
