Key ministry officials asked not to use Blackberry for emails

Against the backdrop of concerns over hacking of crucial official websites, central security agencies have again warned the government about the use of multi-tasking Blackberry instruments by some of the officials working in sensitive ministries, including the prime minister's office (PMO).

Agencies have also cautioned against the practice of connecting official computers and laptops with unsecured internet connections by some bureaucrats, thus compromising security.

With hackers mainly from China very active and having penetrated deep into cyber space, the security agencies had asked all ministries, especially the ministries of defence, external affairs, and home, besides the PMO to separate their official computers from those used for internet connection.

The recommendations of the central security agencies seem to have gone unheeded. An official maintained that their suggestion was only recommendatory. The National Technical and Research Organisation (NTRO) also circulated the do's and don'ts to key ministries recently after attempts by  hackers were noticed.

A quick random check was carried out during which it was found that some officials in the prime minister's office were using Blackberry services and had linked their official emails on the handset, which is not allowed.