The Jammu and Kashmir government has announced a ban on the use of pen drives across all government departments and prohibited the use of WhatsApp for official communications. The decision comes in the wake of growing concerns over cybersecurity breaches after recent cyberattacks during Operation Sindoor, India’s counterstrike following the terror attack in Pahalgam that took 26 lives.

An official order issued today by M Raju, Commissioner Secretary of the General Administration Department, stated that the move aims to strengthen the cybersecurity posture of the Union Territory, protect sensitive government information, and minimise the risks of data breaches, malware infections, and unauthorised access.

The order specifies that the use of pen drives on official devices is now prohibited across all administrative government departments in the Civil Secretariat in Jammu and Srinagar, as well as Deputy Commissioner offices in all districts. Officials have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the order to safeguard government data.

Also, the use of WhatsApp and other public messaging platforms for official purposes has been strictly prohibited. The order emphasises that platforms like WhatsApp or unsecured online services, including iLovePDF, should not be used for processing, sharing, or storing official or confidential information. This is part of the government’s effort to uphold data sovereignty and prevent potential security breaches that could compromise sensitive information.

During Operation Sindoor in May, many official websites in Jammu and Kashmir, including those in the power sector, were targeted in cyberattacks. Some sites continue to struggle with restoration. These attacks disrupted public services and affected the functioning of several government departments. Union Minister for Power, Manohar Lal Khattar, had earlier revealed that India faced around two lakh cyberattacks on the power sector, all of which were successfully thwarted. 

The government’s current move to ban pen drives and WhatsApp reflects heightened vigilance in the wake of these incidents, pointing the increasing importance of cybersecurity in protecting critical infrastructure and official data. This strict action by the Jammu and Kashmir administration aims to prevent future attacks and ensure safer digital operations within all government offices of the Union Territory.