Cyber Security Initiative in Jammu and Kashmir: A Major Step Forward

On December 19, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo presided over a significant high-level meeting aimed at reviewing the progress of the Cyber Security Action Plan that is being implemented across Jammu and Kashmir. This meeting highlighted the regional government’s strong commitment to strengthening its cyber security architecture in response to escalating digital threats.

Comprehensive Review of Initiatives

During the meeting, Chief Secretary Dulloo conducted an extensive evaluation of various initiatives undertaken to bolster the cyber security framework in Jammu and Kashmir. He scrutinized the status of redundant government websites slated for decommissioning and sought updates on the security auditing of departmental portals. Key technological measures, like the installation of Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solutions, were also discussed. These solutions are crucial for aligning government digital infrastructure with contemporary security standards.

Augmentation of Cyber Security Infrastructure

The Chief Secretary also reviewed the progress of several pivotal projects aimed at enhancing the security apparatus in Jammu and Kashmir. These projects include the expansion of the State Data Centre (SDC) and the operationalization of a Mini Security Operations Centre (SOC). Additionally, the adoption of official government e-mail IDs by employees is gaining momentum, which is essential for maintaining a secure communication framework.

Asset Inventorisation

Emphasizing a proactive approach, Chief Secretary Dulloo directed all Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) to complete the inventorization of IT assets on the e-SAM portal within one month. This step aims to strengthen monitoring and increase the security of government assets across various departments.

Strategic Action Planning

The meeting also called for the National Informatics Centre (NIC) to devise a comprehensive action plan within a month. This plan will focus on augmenting the capacity of the State Data Centre and implementing additional cybersecurity measures to create a more robust system across Jammu and Kashmir.

Cyber Forensics Assessment

In a fascinating turn, IGP Crime Sujit Singh reported on the comprehensive assessment of cyber forensic capabilities at the Cyber Information Center of Excellence (CICE). This in-depth assessment consists of a structured three-phase approach aimed at fortifying the state’s cyber forensic infrastructure against emerging threats.

• Phase One: Evaluation of technical specifications and proposed tools required for establishing CICE and Cyber Police Stations.

• Phase Two: Examination of these tools concerning emerging cyber threats like deep fakes and data breaches.

• Phase Three: Comparative analysis and consultations about the latest tools available in the market.

Through this meticulous approach, the state aims to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving domain of cyber threats.

Progress Overview from the IT Department

Secretary of the Information Technology Department, Piyush Singla, provided a detailed overview of the cybersecurity plan’s implementation. It was reported that the security audit of departmental websites has been completed, leading to the decommissioning of 35 redundant websites after consultations.

The EDR and UEM solutions have been successfully deployed across the Civil Secretariat complexes in both Jammu and Srinagar. This coverage extends to approximately 5,100 devices, with plans to secure an additional 15,000 devices in Head of Department offices by January 2026.

Adoption Rates and Ongoing Initiatives

The user base for official government e-mail IDs has now reached an impressive 1.81 lakh, with about 35,000 users added since May 2025. Furthermore, 28 departments have initiated the census of IT assets, while 14 departments have been urged to expedite this process. As part of ongoing cybersecurity strategies, the department has deployed 19 honeypots, with the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) set to provide training for their effective utilization.

Transitioning to Advanced Infrastructure

CEO of JaKeGA, Mahima Madan, briefed the meeting on several crucial interventions. These include migrating selected applications to the national MeghRaj Cloud, enhancing the State Data Centre’s capabilities, and advancing the phased migration of government websites from the legacy IPv4 system to IPv6 by the end of the current year.

Collaborative and Coordinated Approach

In a powerful closing statement, Chief Secretary Dulloo highlighted the importance of robust digital safety mechanisms. He asserted that a proactive, coordinated approach is essential to ensure efficiency, transparency, and reliability in governance. To that end, he urged all departments to collaborate closely with the IT Department to address existing gaps and adopt best practices in cyber security.

The meeting drew participation from Administrative Secretaries of all departments, police officials, and senior officers, showcasing a united front in the mission to secure Jammu and Kashmir’s digital landscape against emerging challenges.