Cyber Crime
Unauthorized Access of Sensitive Data on UP Government’s Manav Sampada Portal Raises Security Concerns
LUCKNOW : Recently, a formal letter was issued to the Superintendent of Police at Mahatma Gandhi Police Station, Jankipuram, Lucknow, highlighting a serious breach involving sensitive personal data on the Uttar Pradesh Government’s Manav Sampada Portal. This portal, designed to manage and store personnel information for teachers, officers, and employees affiliated with government institutions, has reportedly been accessed by unauthorized individuals, leading to significant concerns about data security.
The issue was first flagged by Mr. Rajiv Kumar Mishra, Deputy Registrar at the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET), Lucknow. Mr. Mishra sent an official email alerting the authorities to the unauthorized access of private information. This information includes comprehensive personal details about teaching and administrative staff across multiple institutions in the state. The letter indicates that the exposure of such confidential data could potentially pose a substantial risk to the security, privacy, and confidentiality of the involved personnel.
The letter further explains that unauthorized individuals accessed the portal, acquiring personal information without any legitimate or official purpose. The breach not only infringes upon privacy rights but also raises the likelihood of misuse of the data for potentially harmful activities, thereby endangering the integrity of educational institutions and other government organizations.
In response, the letter urges the police to register a formal complaint and initiate a thorough investigation. Immediate measures are recommended to safeguard the data and ensure that appropriate security protocols are implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future. Furthermore, the police have been requested to coordinate with educational institutions and relevant administrative bodies to identify those responsible for this data breach.
The letter, signed by Yashpal EO, emphasizes the urgency of the matter, calling for swift action to protect the privacy of employees and the credibility of state-managed institutions. Additionally, it requests that other departments be informed and necessary actions be undertaken to prevent recurrence.
The incident underscores the critical need for improved data security measures within government-operated digital platforms to safeguard personal information and maintain public trust in government systems.