Karnataka government to upgrade Aadhaar authentication security infrastructure
The Karnataka government has initiated the upgradation of the Hardware Security Module (HSM) that powers Aadhaar authentication services across government departments, with the aim of
The Karnataka government has initiated the upgradation of the Hardware Security Module (HSM) that powers Aadhaar authentication services across government departments, with the aim of strengthening digital governance, cybersecurity, and uninterrupted citizen services. Home, Information Technology & Biotechnology and e-Governance Minister Priyank Kharge said the upgrade is a preventive technology enhancement aimed at ensuring higher security, improved reliability, and continued compliance with national security standards.
Improving security Under the Aadhaar Act, Aadhaar numbers are not meant to be stored in local databases. Instead, they are to be stored in a secure Aadhaar Data Vault in encrypted form. The encryption keys that protect the data are housed in a Hardware Security Module, a specialised tamper-resistant device designed to prevent unauthorised access. In Karnataka, nearly 10 to 12 lakh Aadhaar authentication requests are processed across various government departments.
The existing HSM setup, which supports these authentication services, has reportedly encountered a few issues, necessitating the upgrade. The scheduled software upgrade will incorporate the latest security patches, bug fixes and OEM-supported enhancements to improve overall system performance. Maintenance activity after office hours “Digital public infrastructure is the backbone of citizen-centric governance. The government is continuously investing in strengthening critical digital systems to ensure that essential public services remain secure, reliable and resilient,” the Minister said.
The Minister clarified that the maintenance activity will be carried out after office hours between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. on July 31, August 1 and 2, to minimise inconvenience to citizens and government departments. Appropriate arrangements have been made to ensure that the impact on public services remains minimal.
The BriefWire