Cyber Crime
Cyber Attack Cripples Uttarakhand Government IT System, Halts Entire Digital Operations
A massive cyberattack hit Uttarakhand, disabling over 90 critical government websites, including the CM helpline and other essential online services, bringing public administration to a standstill. The state IT department is working around the clock to restore services, with cybersecurity experts battling the attack.
Uttarakhand recently suffered a severe cyberattack that crippled the state’s critical IT infrastructure, leaving over 90 government websites, including the Chief Minister’s helpline, completely non-operational. The attack, which occurred unexpectedly early on Thursday, paralyzed the state’s entire IT system, affecting not only public-facing services but also internal government operations.
Among the impacted services were vital e-office systems in various districts, leading to a total halt in government operations. According to reports, even land registry services were forced to shut down, and key functions across secretariats and public offices could not be performed. Public grievances submitted through the CM helpline were also left unanswered as the system was down.
The attack was so sophisticated and dangerous that it breached the state’s most secure internet services and the main state data center, making it nearly impossible for government websites to stay online. Government officials have been racing against time to address the damage. The head of the state IT department, Nitesh Jha, immediately activated emergency protocols and sent a team of experts, led by IT Director Nitika Khandelwal, to tackle the issue. Despite their efforts, the virus remained active, and recovery attempts throughout the day were unsuccessful.
Cybersecurity experts, including a team specializing in such attacks, were brought in to assess the full extent of the damage. According to sources, the virus used in this attack is highly advanced, and the team is working closely with various agencies to eradicate the threat and restore the affected systems.
Efforts are ongoing, with key specialists leading the effort to clean the virus from the system. However, it is unclear how long it will take to fully recover all affected services. For now, Uttarakhand’s online governance remains largely non-functional, with authorities urging the public to remain patient as they work to bring systems back online.
Experts have expressed concerns about the long-term impact of the attack, fearing that sensitive information may have been compromised. Investigations are underway to determine the root cause and prevent similar incidents in the future.
This attack highlights the growing vulnerabilities within state-run digital systems, especially as cyber threats continue to evolve globally. It serves as a crucial reminder of the need for stronger cybersecurity measures to protect essential services and public data.
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