Kozhikode: Around 31 GB of data believed to be linked to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and India's defence sector has allegedly surfaced on the dark web, raising concerns over a possible data leak. The discovery was made by Alibi Global Threat Intelligence Group, a Thiruvananthapuram-based cyber intelligence firm.

According to the firm, the dataset has been listed for sale for $8,000, with sample pages made publicly available on the dark web. The samples appear to contain information that is normally shared only on a restricted basis. Some documents reportedly carry the signatures and approvals of senior scientists. Those offering the data for sale also claim it includes information related to missile systems.

Samples contain restricted information

Alibi said the dataset has been available for sale for nearly two weeks. Earlier this month, documents linked to the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant also appeared on the dark web after allegedly being leaked by the ransomware group World Leaks.

The suspected DRDO-related data was identified during the firm's routine dark web monitoring. According to the company, the files were uploaded through an encrypted handle. However, it has not yet been confirmed whether the documents are genuine.

Company officials said only a detailed forensic examination of the files can establish their authenticity and determine whether they were obtained through a data breach.

Authorities alerted after discovery

Alibi said it informed the relevant authorities immediately after detecting the suspected defence-related data being offered for sale.

Of the approximately 31 GB of data on sale, only three PDF pages have been uploaded as samples. Even these sample documents appear to contain sensitive information, the firm said. It remains unclear how the files reached the dark web.

"We informed the authorities as soon as we discovered that defence-related information had been put up for sale. Three PDF pages have been shared as samples from the nearly 31 GB dataset, and even these contain sensitive information. It is still unclear how the documents ended up on the dark web," said V.K. Bhadran, Technical Director, Alibi Global.