The government should adopt world class standards strategies for data protection. The concerned organizations should be assured that there will be no shortage of resources and manpower. When giving contracts to foreign companies, the issue of 'data' security should be kept as the first priority.
This is being discussed from many angles after the government made the national identity card mandatory for citizens to get facilities like passport, social security allowance and sim card. The National Identity Card is undoubtedly a scientific service as it is compiled into electronic chips containing personal details such as the name, surname, citizenship number of the concerned person and biological details such as 10 fingerprints, photo of the pupil of the eye and electronic signature.
However, since the sensitive information of citizens is collected and stored, its security concerns are equally serious. Although the government has claimed that its security system is strong, the members of the State Order and Good Governance Committee of the Parliament have raised questions saying that they could not be convinced. It is the government's responsibility to take the questions raised by citizens, experts and parliamentarians seriously and ensure security.
Social media platforms have overtaken our daily lives with access to 'data' that reveals our personal interests and habits. Therefore, the 'data' collected for national identity cards is sensitive. The government reserves the right to collect the details of the citizens for a purpose, the national identity card is such a reference. However, if such information, which should only be under the control of the government, gets into the hands of an unauthorized organization or group, the damage caused by it is incalculable. That is why many people are worried about the security of data.
After the French company Marfo Safran got the contract in 2073, the work of manufacturing the national identity card started. In 2075, the National Identity Card and Registration Department started distributing identity cards from Panchthar. Gradually, it has been extended to all districts and the scope of making it mandatory is becoming wider.
According to the latest information, details of more than 16.5 million citizens have been collected through the National Identity Management Information System. More than 6 million ID cards have been printed. 55 lakh cards have been sent to different districts. So far two million cards have been distributed. As the number of citizens involved in it increases, and its purpose is expanded, it is certain that the information collected for the national identity card will become more comprehensive and sensitive in the future. Therefore, the government should strengthen its security system from now on.
There are occasional problems with government websites. There are repeated reports that the websites of important organizations such as Passport Department, Tribhuvan University, Tribhuvan Airport and others have been hacked and downed. In this way, when the website is blocked, the question arises as to whose hands the information collected by the relevant organization for certain purposes will reach. Last year, the data of lakhs of candidates who had filled the form for the examination conducted by the Public Service Commission was lost. But with the maintenance and operation of the blocked website, the main interest is overshadowed.
There is a lack of manpower and resources in the organization linked to the national identity card, which the government started with great importance. According to the information provided by Yuvraj Kattel, Director General of the National Identity Card and Registration Department, it is difficult to maintain skilled manpower such as engineers in the field of information technology in the department. It is not appropriate to keep changing the personnel in such organizations because of security. Therefore, the government should shoulder the responsibility of enabling such an important institution with resources and creating an environment where manpower can last.
It is not appropriate to make public all the methods adopted for 'data' security. Not even necessary. This is a matter for citizens to feel. At the same time, the public information regarding the security of 'data' collected for different purposes also plays a role in convincing citizens about this matter. The government should adopt world class standards strategies for data protection. The concerned organizations should be assured that there will be no shortage of resources and manpower. When giving contracts to foreign companies, the issue of 'data' security should be kept as the first priority.
