Cybersecurity Guidelines Released by Government, AnyDesk and TeamViewer Restricted

Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has issued cybersecurity guidelines that prohibit the use of AnyDesk and TeamViewer by government departments. The guidelines, applicable to all ministries, departments, and government institutions, aim to enhance information security practices.

These guidelines can be accessed via the CERT-In website. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology, emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring a safe and secure cyberspace. The guidelines serve as a roadmap for government entities and industries to mitigate cyber risks, safeguard citizen data, and strengthen the overall cybersecurity ecosystem.

They will also serve as a benchmark for auditing teams, including internal and external auditors, to assess an organization’s security measures against the specified cybersecurity requirements.

The guidelines cover various security domains, including network security, identity and access management, application security, data security, third-party outsourcing, hardening procedures, security monitoring, incident management, and security auditing.

Additionally, they incorporate guidelines developed by the National Informatics Centre to promote cyber hygiene and enhance cybersecurity among Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and employees of Central Government Ministries/Departments.

These guidelines play a crucial role in India’s larger cybersecurity framework as the country strives to achieve its goal of a $1 trillion digital economy under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.