Kohima: Nagaland officials gathered in Kohima on Wednesday for a state-level consultative workshop focused on strengthening cybersecurity frameworks for government data. The event highlighted that securing digital information is no longer a task limited to the IT department, but a shared duty requiring commitment from every government office.
Commissioner and Secretary of IT&C and State CISO, Arenla Jamir, noted that while initiatives like CMHIS and e-Treasury have improved digital service delivery, they have also increased the risks of data breaches. During her keynote, she emphasized the need for widespread vigilance: “Cybersecurity is no longer the sole responsibility of the IT department, but it is also one’s share of responsibility that requires awareness, preparedness and commitment from all government offices and employees who handle digital information.”
The workshop serves as a follow-up to a directive from the Prime Minister, who requested that states assess their cybersecurity readiness following the 5th National Conference of Chief Secretaries. Insights gathered during the session will help shape a new National Policy scheduled for presentation in August 2026. Participants were encouraged to provide feedback based on their specific ground realities.
Experts at the event also raised concerns regarding the role of artificial intelligence in data management. Senior TD and SIO of NIC Nagaland, Er I Lanusungkum Aier, warned that while AI simplifies tasks, it requires clean and accurate data to function effectively. He cautioned that AI can be a double-edged sword that may inadvertently assist malicious actors if not handled with care. He advocated for a unified data-sharing approach across departments to avoid duplication and improve overall security.
Director of IT&C and Deputy CISO, Er Sabou Yashu, concluded the proceedings by highlighting the necessity of data integrity for citizens. He urged stakeholders to collaborate on institutionalizing data protection to ensure that government services remain both accurate and secure.
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