Thai Cyber Authority Hurriedly Strengthening Media Defenses in Response to Intensifying Threats
Thailand's National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) and ThaiCERT are taking proactive steps to enhance the security of the nation's media systems in light of growing threats such as Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks, fake news, and credential leaks.
In a collaborative effort, the NCSA and ThaiCERT are providing round-the-clock proactive defense against cyber threats, particularly focusing on vulnerabilities within media systems. This includes preventing DDoS attacks that disrupt website accessibility and managing threats from social media, such as fake news propagation, automated bot campaigns, and attempts to hijack media administrator accounts.
The NCSA has revealed a surge in DDoS attacks, with Air Vice Marshal Amorn Chomchoey, Secretary-General of the NCSA, leading the revelation. Additionally, instances of data leaks in the form of credential leaks targeting accounts linked to critical media systems have been identified.
To combat these threats, the NCSA has issued comprehensive security recommendations to media organizations. These recommendations aim to enhance the protection of critical media infrastructure, including Content Management Systems (CMS), internal email networks, and social media accounts. Media organizations are urged to configure robust website security settings, implement regular password changes, deactivate unnecessary accounts, enable two-factor authentication (2FA), avoid the use of pirated software, limit administrator privileges, and assign dedicated cybersecurity personnel.
Moreover, the NCSA is advocating for the immediate assignment of a coordinator by media organizations to verify any suspected leaked accounts. This step is crucial to ensure the highest level of security for the nation's communication systems.
Recognizing the importance of incident response plans, ThaiCERT stresses the critical importance of every organization having a well-defined incident response plan in the event of a cyber attack.
The NCSA is also expanding regulatory oversight through proposed amendments to the Cybersecurity Act. These amendments cover cloud service providers and data centers holding data for critical information infrastructure. The amendments increase the NCSA’s powers to establish minimum cybersecurity standards for state agencies, regulated organizations, and critical infrastructure entities, aimed at enhancing systemic resilience against various cyber threats.
Lastly, the NCSA advises public and private sector organizations to implement urgent cybersecurity practices such as vulnerability assessments of networks and applications, updating security software, enforcing strong authentication measures, and monitoring for unusual activity. These practices, coordinated with NCSA alerts and reporting mechanisms to ThaiCERT and the Cyber Threat Complaint Centre, aim to strengthen defenses against DDoS attacks, misinformation campaigns, and credential compromise that impact Thailand’s public communication networks.
These actions demonstrate an integrated approach combining legislative updates, inter-agency cooperation, direct engagement with media stakeholders, and operational guidance to strengthen defenses against the identified cyber threats.
Read also:
- U Power's strategic collaborator UNEX EV has inked a Letter of Intent with Didi Mobility to deploy UOTTA(TM) battery-swapping electric vehicles in Mexico.
- Global Gaming Company, LINEUP Games, Moves Into Extensive Global Web3 Multi-Platform Gaming Network
- Gold nanorod market to reach a value of USD 573.3 million by 2034, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.7%
- Approaching Manufacturing: 2027 Karma Amaris GT Coupé
