internet and e-mails CENSORED

In a bid to secure data, the state govt restricts officials’ access to internet and e-mails; bans use of USBs, memory sticks, PDAs and palmtops Ii

DILIP PATEL

The state government has restricted internet and e-mail access to its officials. The officials have been asked to keep their e-mail and internet credentials secure. In fact, they have been urged to use GSWAN-assinged e-mail addresses for official communication.
In a government resolution (GR) dated February 2, the government has laid down guidelines for internet, e-mail, instant message and peer-topeer file sharing. It states: “A large volume of electronic data has been created and there is an immediate need to secure the operations of egovernance systems and also to secure the electronic data against theft, alteration, misuse and destruction.”

‘ELECTRONIC MAIL IS VULNERABLE’

IT ASKS officials to be aware that electronic mail is vulnerable to unauthorised access and modification. “Users should not forward work sensitive e-mails originating from either GSWAN (Gujarat State Wide Area Network) or customer domains to any free public e-mail domains such as Yahoo, Hotmail etc. Users should not use personal e-mail addresses as contact address for conducting GSWAN operations. Users should not use Internet services to forward chain letters, junk mails, spam or unsolicited messages. They must not defame, abuse, harass, stalk, threaten or violate privacy rights. Upload or download material that contains viruses, trojan horses, worms or other harmful programmes,” it stated.

PERSONAL DATA IS NOT PERSONAL

THE GR warns that GSWAN management had the right to examine personal file directories and all other information, including e-mails, on computers connected to GSWAN.
It also has a list of instructions for those using memory devices with external connectivity. This includes pen drive, digital camera, digital watches, PDAs and palmtops. Stating objections to its usage, the GR reveals that portable storage devices allow employees, social engineers and intruders “to remove sensitive information, including protected classified data, from an organisation’s premises”