CM Dhami Leads High-Level Meeting to Tackle Malware Attack on State Data Center, Ensures Quick Recovery

CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Holds High-Level Meeting to Address Malware Attack on State Data Center, Ensures Swift Restoration of Services

In response to a malware attack that disrupted online services at the State Data Center, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami convened an urgent meeting on Saturday at his residence. The meeting included top officials from the police department, cyber experts, and senior personnel from various government organizations such as the State Data Center, SWAN, N.I.S.I., and ITDA. The objective was to assess the damage, strategize recovery, and discuss measures to prevent future cyber threats.

The Chief Minister expressed grave concern over the impact of the malware and issued immediate directives to complete the scanning of the State Data Center and resume online services linked to public welfare departments. He stressed that restoring these services should be a top priority, with a clear deadline for all sites to be fully operational by Monday.

Cybersecurity Task Force to Be Formed

One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the decision to form a dedicated cybersecurity task force for the state. Chief Minister Dhami underscored the importance of having a robust and modern security system in place to safeguard the state’s digital infrastructure. He suggested that the task force be developed in collaboration with the top IT agencies of the Government of India, which have experience in managing cyber risks at a national level.

Dhami also called for an immediate safety audit of the State Data Center and all government-operated online platforms. He emphasized the need for a Disaster Recovery Center to ensure the security of digital platforms and to facilitate the swift recovery of online data in case of similar attacks in the future.

Strengthening IT Security and Accountability

The Chief Minister emphasized the need to modernize the security measures of the State Data Center, taking cues from the best practices of other states and central government ministries that excel in cybersecurity. He instructed officials to closely review the company currently handling the technical operations for the ITDA. If any negligence is found during the review, strict action will be taken against the company, he said.

In line with the increased focus on cybersecurity, Dhami directed that cyber security training programs be developed and implemented for both employees and officers working across government departments. He further insisted that every government office be equipped with up-to-date antivirus systems to protect against future cyber threats.

“The malware attack has made it clear that we need to stay ahead in the realm of cybersecurity. Steps should be taken to ensure that such incidents are prevented in the future,” Dhami said. He also urged all posts in ITDA to be filled at the earliest, with recruitment decisions to be made in a meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary.

No Data Loss Reported

Providing a progress report during the meeting, Secretary Nitesh Jha assured that no data had been lost due to the malware attack. He revealed that out of the 1,378 machines at the State Data Center, only 11 were affected by the malware. Scanning operations had been conducted multiple times over the past two days, and significant progress had been made in restoring services. Key online platforms like the e-office system and the CM Helpline Soocharu were already back online.

Looking Ahead: Cybersecurity as a Priority

Dhami reiterated that ensuring the security of online government services is a matter of utmost importance for the state. He highlighted the need for the state to keep pace with evolving cyber threats by adopting cutting-edge technology and reinforcing internal systems. He urged state agencies to explore advanced cyber protection tools, such as real-time threat detection, firewalls, and AI-based solutions, in partnership with India’s leading IT security agencies.

The Chief Minister’s proactive stance on cybersecurity has been well-received by the officials, who committed to expediting the necessary actions to strengthen the digital framework. The decision to form a dedicated task force and create a disaster recovery mechanism underscores the state’s commitment to safeguarding both government data and public services.

Prominent officials present at the meeting included Divisional Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhary, Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori, Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, and senior officers from various government departments. Their collective expertise is expected to guide the state’s efforts in building a more secure digital environment moving forward.