The government has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for secure video conferencing using the NIC Bharat VC platform across all administrative departments.
The SOP, prepared by the Information Technology Department and NIC, outlines strict security protocols, access controls, content protection measures, and an incident response mechanism in line with Government of India’s cyber security directives.
Aimed at ensuring Government-grade security compliance, the SOP mandates that all virtual communications and meetings in departments follow prescribed practices for safety and efficiency.
“With the advent of IT and allied e-Governance modules in administration, there has been an increasing reliance on Video-conferencing for official communications and meetings as a convenient, time saving tool that enhances efficiency and promotes economy within the administrative system. The increasing use of video conferencing, however, necessitates strict adherence to established safety and security standards to ensure compliance with prescribed practices,” reads a circular issued by M Raju, Commissioner Secretary to the Government.
It stated that the Information Technology Department and the NIC has prepared a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), outlining comprehensive security protocols, access controls, content protection measures, along with an incident response mechanism aligned with cyber security directives of the Government of India.
The SOP aims to ensure that all virtual communications across departments are conducted with government-grade security compliance.
The Administrative Secretaries, Heads of Departments (HoDs), Field Offices and all concerned have been directed to ensure strict implementation of the circular.