The government of Delhi has taken proactive measures to mitigate the risk of cyber threats by releasing an extensive set of guidelines aimed at its various departments. These instructions emphasize the necessity for timely security audits and the exclusive use of emails sanctioned by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) for official communications.
A circular from the Information Technology department underscored the critical nature of protecting IT infrastructure, stating that any security breach could tarnish the reputation of the Delhi Government. It mandated that all departments must undertake specific actions to fortify their IT systems against potential cyber incidents.
Departments are required to appoint an Assistant Chief Information Security Officer (ACISO) as the primary contact for cybersecurity matters. Additionally, they must ensure that valid security audit certificates are maintained for all their websites and applications.
Government personnel have been instructed to refrain from opening or downloading any unknown links or attachments and to properly shut down their computers before leaving the office. The circular further advised the exclusive use of NIC email accounts for official correspondence, discouraging the use of third-party communication platforms. It also emphasized the prohibition of pirated software on office computers and recommended the installation of antivirus programs.
The guidelines also stressed the importance of employing strong passwords and implementing multifactor authentication (MFA) when accessing sensitive information. Employees are cautioned against sharing their passwords with others.
Departments are advised to maintain an inventory of their IT infrastructure and to schedule regular data backups in accordance with established policies. It is also essential to keep all devices and software updated.
In the event of a cyber incident, departments are instructed to report immediately to the designated contacts at 1930 or via the emails incident@cert-in.org.in and incident@niccert.nic.in.
The Delhi Government comprises over 60 departments, all of which are required to adhere to these guidelines to enhance their cybersecurity posture.
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