SBI blocks over 6 lakh debit cards over malware-related security breach

Public sector bank State Bank of India (SBI) has stated that it will re-issue approximately six lakh debit cards to customers after cards were blocked due to a malware-related security breach in a non-SBI ATM network, reported Times of India. 

Customers who have used their cards only at SBI ATMs have not been affected. SBI's chief technology officer (CTO), Kumar Bhasin, told TOI, "A few ATMs have been affected by a malware. When people use their card on infected switches or ATMs, there is a high probability that their data will be compromised." He further added, "It's a security breach, but not in our banks' systems. Many other banks also have this breach — right now and since a long time."

Currently, it is not compulsory for banks to report the issues of security breach in their network to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). However, Bhasin stated that the onus is on banks to come forward and publicly declare if their ATMs have been infected. He added that until this is done, the customers would continue to be at risk.

For SBI customers, Bhasin stated, "Customers need not panic. They can either approach their branch, call up phone banking or use the internet for 're-carding'. They can also set their PINs from their homes using internet banking."

TOI reported that a branch in Pune had blocked the cards of certain customers and informed them about it via SMS, but customers claimed to be unaware of any such development.