Srinagar, 25 August : The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has issued prohibitory orders for its employees on the use of Pen Drives on all official equipment to increase data and cyber security.
In an order issued by the General Administration Department, the government dated 25.8.2025, the government said that this order will be implemented in all administrative government departments in Civil Secretariat, Jammu and Srinagar and Deputy Commissioner offices in all districts.
“To increase the cyber security currency of the center region of Jammu and Kashmir, protect sensitive government information, and reduce the risks of data violations, malware infections and unauthorized access, it has been decided to ban the use of pen drives on official equipment in all administrative government departments in Civil Secretary Jammu and Sirinagar, Deputy Commissioner.
The order further stated that public messaging platforms such as “WhatsApp or unsafe online services such as processing, sharing or official or confidential documents or materials are strictly prohibited for processing, sharing or storing materials.”
“All sensitive technical information, including ICT Architecture Diagram, System Configuration, Reporture Assessment, IP addressed plans and strategic technology schemes, should be classified as confidential and information security by MHA, Certificate-in instructions and departmental data classification policies should be taken as confidential. Needed.”
The JK government said that employees who do not follow the instructions will have to face disciplinary action.
The order stated, “Failure to follow these instructions will be seen seriously and disciplinary action can be invited under relevant rules that control official conduct, IT use and administrative responsibility.”
The government here has given exceptions to the scenarios where “the need for operation justifies their use, the controlled whiteSti can be allowed up to 2-3 pen drives per department”.
All formal requests are rooted through the State Information Science Officer (SIO), National Informatics Center through the concerned administrative head, stated in the order. (AI)
