One could say that it is better late than never for the government of Jammu and Kashmir, as it has finally taken steps to secure the official data that, until now, was traversing various online platforms due to the lack of knowledge among employees and the phlegmatic attitude of those in charge of the region’s affairs.
The government itself was unclear about what to do and what not to do when communicating official data, including strategically significant and top-secret information. As the security and integrity of official communication are paramount, the step taken by the government in this regard was necessary. However, its success depends on how effectively it is implemented on the ground. The ‘fever’ of social media has gripped society as a whole, and there are entities that cannot resist sharing information on available platforms without considering the potential repercussions of such actions.
It is pertinent to mention that Jammu and Kashmir Government has directed its officers and officials to stop using WhatsApp, Gmail and other similar third-party platforms for transmitting sensitive, secret, and confidential communications as this prevalent practice has been posing significant risks to the integrity and security of the information being communicated.
The need of such an order came after it was observed that officers are using third-party communication tools like WhatsApp, Gmail, and other similar platforms to transmit sensitive and confidential information, which is quite crucial as no one can take guarantee of these internet platforms for these being highly unreliable and prone to unauthorized access, data breaches, and leaks of confidential information.
As these platforms are not designed for handling classified information and may lack the necessary security measures for official communications, the step taken by the government is right and it is advisable for one and all connected with the government affairs to help in implementing the same in letter and spirit.
Since government of J&K has become technical savvy therefore it has got all the modern softwares and hardwares to ensure that data remains safe therefore the employees should make it a point to make use of leased lines meant for providing a secure, encrypted connection dedicated exclusively to such confidential communications, ensuring that sensitive information remains private and protected from cyber threats.
In contrast, platforms like WhatsApp and Gmail are vulnerable to hacking, phishing attacks, and data breaches, as they are not designed for secure and critical official communication. It therefore expected that the things will remain in safe hands from now onwards and those who are responsible for the same will act responsibly in this whole gamut.
