Cybersecurity is now a frontline defence for every organisation—and phishing is the front door attackers walk right through.
If you’re a cyber enthusiast or a security lead in India, chances are you’re already battling an endless stream of phishing emails, fake domains, and impersonation scams. But here’s something that might have caught your eye recently: India’s National Technical research organization NTRO just flagged 1,172 phishing domains targeting Indian entities in the first half of 2025 alone. But NTRO didn’t just sound the alarm—they introduced a strategic “matrix” to proactively stop the bleed.
If you’re a cybersecurity enthusiast, CISO, threat analyst or even just someone who cares about the future of digital safety, this post will unpack what the NTRO matrix is, why it matters, and how you can take its core ideas to build a phishing defence strategy of your own—one that’s scalable, structured, and actually works in the messy real world of day-to-day cybersecurity.
Phishing in 2025: Understanding the intensity of the problem
Phishing is no longer about badly written emails from fake princes. It’s smarter, slicker, and increasingly AI-assisted. Whether it’s SMS fraud, business email compromise, fake domain impersonation or malicious QR codes—phishing is everywhere.
Here’s what’s new in 2025:
1.AI-powered spear phishing is on the rise. Attackers use AI to generate convincing messages in seconds.
2.Domain spoofing at large scale: Tools like Squatting Framework automate the creation of lookalike domains.
3.Cloud-based phishing kits are now being rented on Telegram for as little as ₹2,000 a month.
4.Third-party platforms are being exploited—like in the Qantas breach where an external service opened the door.
These tactics bypass basic filters and fool even tech-savvy users and with India’s digital economy expanding rapidly, the phishing threat is no longer an “if” but a “when” problem for your cybersecurity team.
This is where NTRO’s matrix comes in.
What Is the NTRO Phishing Matrix?
The NTRO phishing matrix is a strategic, multi-layered cybersecurity framework developed by India’s National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) to tackle phishing threats in a scalable and structured way. With phishing attacks becoming more sophisticated and AI-driven in 2025, the matrix is India’s attempt to stay ahead by combining real-time detection, intelligence analysis, inter-agency coordination, and public education. While the NTRO hasn’t released the entire technical blueprint publicly, cybersecurity professionals can understand its core components from official statements and threat response trends. This matrix is NTRO’s answer to the growing sophistication of phishing campaigns—and it’s a clear signal that cybersecurity isn’t just about defence anymore. It’s about disruption.
1.The first layer of the matrix focuses on detection: This involves identifying phishing attempts in real time by monitoring DNS queries, scanning for behavioural anomalies, and applying heuristics that catch suspicious sender patterns. It’s about building visibility into traffic and domain activity so that threats are flagged before users even click a malicious link.
2.The second layer is analysis: Once a potential phishing threat is detected, the matrix leverages deep threat intelligence. This includes collecting metadata, tracing IP addresses back to their origins, and mapping the attack to known TTPs—tactics, techniques, and procedures. Essentially, it’s the forensic phase of cybersecurity, helping classify threats, attribute them when possible, and understand how the phishing infrastructure operates.
3.The third layer revolves around coordination: NTRO’s matrix connects multiple government bodies, including CERT-IN, to enable rapid communication and action. By sharing threat intelligence across agencies, the system ensures quicker takedown of phishing domains and broader alerts across sectors. This collaborative approach speeds up incident response and prevents duplication of effort—a key efficiency in national cybersecurity.
4.The fourth layer is the prevention layer: Here, the matrix deploys tactics like DNS sinkholing (which redirects malicious domains to safe endpoints), issuing alerts to high-risk sectors, and recommending strategic blocking at the registrar and ISP level. This proactive posture means the focus isn’t just on reacting to threats—it’s on disrupting the attacker’s infrastructure entirely.
5.Finally, the matrix incorporates education and public engagement: NTRO recognises that no cybersecurity defence is complete without informed users. The matrix aims to build human resilience through awareness campaigns that teach people how to spot phishing attempts—going beyond simple checklists to address behaviours and instincts.
In short, the NTRO phishing matrix signals a major shift in India’s cybersecurity posture. It’s not just about defending networks. It’s about building a coordinated, intelligence-driven system to detect, dissect, and disable phishing campaigns before they cause damage. For businesses, schools, hospitals, and government offices alike, the message is clear: cybersecurity needs to be layered, smart, and fast.
| Layer | Focus | Description |
| 1. Detection | Real-time threat spotting | Using DNS filtering, anomaly detection, and behavioural analysis to find phishing domains fast. |
| 2. Analysis | Deep threat intel | Collecting metadata, IP tracing, and TTPs (tactics, techniques, procedures) from phishing infrastructure. |
| 3. Coordination | Agency collaboration | Sharing data across government and CERT-IN bodies to speed up takedowns. |
| 4. Prevention | Strategic blocking | Rapid domain takedowns, DNS sinkholes, and threat alerts to critical institutions. |
| 5. Education | Public engagement | Awareness campaigns focused on behaviour, not just firewalls. |
also read: RBI’s new security rules are a game changer for aspiring ethical hackers
How to Build Your Own Anti-Phishing Matrix
Let’s break it down into something actionable. Here’s how to apply the NTRO’s matrix strategy within your own cybersecurity framework:
- Identify phishing early:
- Use important authentication protocols like SPF, DKIM, DMARC records to protect outgoing mail.
- Monitor DNS logs for suspicious domain lookups.
- Deploy anomaly detection for unusual email behaviour.
- Automate scanning with SQL queries:
If you’re using an SIEM or log aggregator, structured queries can flag phishing attempts. Cybersecurity isn’t just about having tools—it’s about making them work for you.
- Map phishing attempts to TTPs:
Use frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK to tag phishing tactics to known adversary patterns. This builds long-term resilience.
- Create playbooks for response:
Every phishing attempt should trigger an internal playbook:
- Isolate the affected user.
- Block sender domain.
- Notify IT + leadership.
- Escalate to national bodies if necessary.
- Educate beyond checklists
Cybersecurity awareness has to evolve. Train your people to:
- Hover, not click.
- Recognise urgency cues (e.g. “Verify now”).
- Report suspicious emails, not delete them silently.
Tools to Power Your Own Phishing Defence Matrix
Here are some practical cybersecurity tools to consider:
- PhishTool / Cofense / KnowBe4 – for phishing simulation & training
- AlienVault OTX / IBM X-Force – open threat intel feeds
- AdaPhish – AI-powered phishing detection
- CrowdStrike Falcon / Microsoft Defender XDR – endpoint detection
- Splunk / QRadar – for log aggregation and custom SQL alerts
Cybersecurity is no longer just about walls—it’s about networks, intelligence, and automation.
Conclusion
Cybersecurity in 2025 demands scale, structure, and speed. NTRO’s matrix is more than just a response—it’s a model.
It tells us:
- Phishing isn’t slowing down—it’s evolving.
- Collaboration and coordination beat isolation.
- Strategic, layered defence beats random fire-fighting.
So whether you’re running a SOC, defending an SME, or just someone who cares about cybersecurity, take a page from NTRO’s book. Build your own version of the matrix. Train your people. Automate what you can. And stay ahead.
Because in this era, cybersecurity isn’t a department—it’s a survival strategy.
“Cybersecurity isn’t just about defending systems. It’s about protecting trust. Build your matrix. Be the firewall”
You’re not here by accident. You’re here because cybersecurity matters to you. The phishing arms race is real, but so is your power to fight back—smartly, systematically, and strategically. in this journey Digived is going to be your best friend. Visit Digived Academy to learn more about our Cybersecurity Training programs and start your journey as cybersecurity professional today.
also read: which cybersecurity course is best in Bengaluru
Frequently asked questions (FAQs):
- What is the NTRO Matrix?
It’s a multi-layered government framework for phishing detection, response, and education—designed for national cybersecurity but scalable for businesses. - Is this matrix public or open-source?
Not entirely. But enough has been shared to reverse-engineer a private sector version for internal use. - How can businesses detect phishing with SQL?
By setting up structured queries to flag risky email patterns, malicious attachments, and domain mismatches. - Can this matrix apply to schools or non-profits?
Yes—any organisation with an internet-facing presence can use a simplified version. - Where should I start?
Start with visibility—email logs, DNS filtering, and user training. Then build automation around detection and response.
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