ICT division defends move to list Critical Information Infrastructure

The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division has recently listed 29 government institutions as Critical Information Infrastructure (CII), leaving them beyond the purview of certain clauses of the Right to Information Act (RTI), reports news agency UNB.

In a press release, issued on Sunday, the ICT Division provided an explanation on why such a move was necessary.

“The 29 institutions marked as CII contain important information regarding the government and the people. If this information is harmed, the security of the people and the financial institutions along with public health and the sovereignty of the nation will be in danger. That’s why the government has decided to protect this information,” said the press release.

The release added that some political parties and organisations are spreading falsehood saying that the government is doing it to deprive people of their right to information.

“The government aims to provide secure and constant service to the people by protecting some information through audits, building infrastructures, maintaining necessary networks systems, using standard hardware and software and appointing competent human resources.

“The government is doing all this according to the Act No. 15 of the Digital Security Act 2018. So there’s no question of curtailing people’s right to information,” added the release.

As important and financial information are preserved at those institutions, it is essential to ensure cyber security of the institutions. CII is also designated in many countries including India, Korea and the UK.