Kudankulam Files Leak Raises Fresh Nuclear Cybersecurity Concerns

NEW DELHI: (Special Correspondent/Web Desk)  –  India is facing fresh cybersecurity concerns around its nuclear infrastructure after a ransomware group reportedly published nearly 19,000 files allegedly connected to the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant.

The leaked data, said to total around 14.3 gigabytes, was reportedly taken from information belonging to Reliance Group, a contractor associated with construction work for Kudankulam’s Units 3 and 4. According to Reuters, the material includes engineering documents, supplier details, inspection records and other project-related information. Reuters has not independently confirmed the authenticity of the files.

India’s Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has sought to play down the security implications, stating that the reported incident did not affect nuclear safety or security systems. The company said the material involved conventional facilities and did not concern critical nuclear systems.

The reported cyber incident comes as India is expanding its civilian nuclear cooperation with Australia. At the India-Australia Annual Summit in Melbourne on July 9, the two countries finalised an administrative arrangement aimed at implementing their civil nuclear cooperation agreement and facilitating long-term Australian uranium supplies to India for peaceful purposes.

The uranium transfers will remain subject to International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards, providing oversight of the material under the countries’ civilian nuclear cooperation framework.

Australia has also reiterated its backing for India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, adding a broader strategic element to the two countries’ growing nuclear-energy relationship.

The two developments underline a key challenge for India as it expands nuclear power: protecting the digital systems and wider supply chain supporting nuclear projects while securing dependable fuel resources for future civilian energy needs.