Cyber Attacks and their Hindrance to Good Governance: An analysis of the AIIMS Cyber Attack (2022)

Abstract

Digital technologies now constitute the backbone of governance in India, shaping public service delivery, fiscal administration, welfare systems, and citizen engagement. As governance becomes increasingly platform-driven, cyber security has emerged as a decisive factor influencing the quality, legitimacy, and sustainability of good governance. This paper analyses cyber security as a core governance challenge in India, with a central focus on the AIIMS Delhi cyber-attack (2022) as a critical case of institutional vulnerability. The attack disrupted essential healthcare services, compromised sensitive data, and exposed serious gaps in cyber preparedness within public institutions. The paper examines how cyber insecurity affects administrative efficiency, ethical responsibility, democratic legitimacy, and social equity. It also evaluates government actions and emerging policy responses aimed at strengthening cyber resilience in governance systems. The study argues that cyber security must be treated as an integral component of good governance rather than a technical or isolated security issue. Embedding cyber security-by-design, strengthening institutional coordination, enhancing human capacity, and prioritizing citizen protection are essential for sustaining resilient and inclusive digital governance in India.