The Jammu and Kashmir Government has banned the use of WhatsApp and pen drives for official communication, mandating the use of the secure GovDrive platform to enhance cyber security and data safety.
In a significant move to bolster cyber security and safeguard confidential information, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has implemented a complete ban on the use of WhatsApp and pen drives for any official communication.
According to the recent directive, the use of portable storage devices has been deemed impermissible within the Civil Secretariat, district offices, and subordinate administrative units, unless specifically authorized under controlled whitelisting. All government departments are now required to utilize GovDrive, a dedicated cloud-based platform, for data storage and inter-departmental exchanges.
GovDrive, which has been developed as part of the secure e-Governance framework, provides each registered official with 50 GB of storage space, multi-factor authentication, AI-driven analytics, and automatic file replication to ensure data continuity. Officials believe that this system will reduce reliance on portable devices, enhance accountability, and create a secure, centralized environment for collaboration.
The directive also emphasizes that any violations of this ban will result in disciplinary action. Senior officers have been assigned the responsibility of ensuring strict compliance within their respective departments.
In addition to enhancing security, the ban aligns with the administration’s “Green Governance” initiative, aimed at reducing paperwork and digitizing workflows. With GovDrive integrated into various government applications, officials anticipate smoother communication, improved productivity, and greater efficiency in routine operations.
This decision comes amid an increasing number of cyber threats targeting government networks across India. By prohibiting the use of WhatsApp for official communications and restricting pen drives, which are often seen as vulnerabilities in data security, the Jammu and Kashmir administration aims to protect its digital infrastructure from potential breaches and consolidate records on a secure platform.
Departments have been instructed to facilitate a seamless transition to GovDrive while maintaining administrative functions. A senior official described this initiative as “a structural transition from insecure and fragmented practices to a transparent, accountable, and uniform system of governance.”
Source: Original article