Jammu & Kashmir Govt Bans Pen Drives and WhatsApp in Official Offices to Strengthen Cybersecurity
The Jammu and Kashmir government has prohibited the use of pen drives and messaging apps like WhatsApp on official devices in Civil Secretariat and district offices. The move aims to enhance cybersecurity and prevent data breaches, with officials directed to use the secure GovDrive platform instead.
In a major step towards strengthening digital security, the Jammu and Kashmir government has banned the use of pen drives, USB devices, and unsecured apps like WhatsApp in all official government offices, including the Civil Secretariat and district-level offices.
The directive was issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) under Commissioner Secretary M. Raju, citing cybersecurity risks and the urgent need to protect sensitive government data from breaches and malware attacks.
Key highlights of the order include:
- Complete ban on pen drives and USBs: Use of removable storage devices is strictly prohibited. Limited exceptions may be made, but only with prior approval from the National Informatics Centre (NIC).
- WhatsApp & similar apps barred: Messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and other unsecured online platforms cannot be used for official work or file sharing.
- GovDrive made mandatory: A secure, government-approved cloud storage system called GovDrive will now be the official platform for file transfers and document storage. Each employee will be provided with 50 GB of safe storage space.
- Strict enforcement: Any violation of the order will be treated seriously and may invite disciplinary action.
The move aligns with cybersecurity frameworks laid out by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In). Officials emphasize that this policy shift is crucial to safeguard data and ensure secure communication within the administration.
With cyberattacks becoming increasingly sophisticated, Jammu and Kashmir has set a strong precedent by prioritizing secure digital governance and minimizing vulnerabilities in government systems.
