Road Ministry orders forensic audit after vehicle data breach

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has sought a forensic audit of its online portals after sensitive vehicle data was compromised, according to officials familiar with the matter. A senior ministry functionary confirmed that the government has requested the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to conduct a detailed review of existing data-sharing policies and recommend measures to enhance cybersecurity defenses.

The data breach, which exposed vehicle-related information accessible through ministry portals, has raised concerns about the security of citizen data held by government agencies. The incident underscores vulnerabilities in digital systems managing sensitive transport and registration records that are widely accessed by the public.

The intervention by MeitY marks an escalation in efforts to address cybersecurity gaps within road transport infrastructure. Officials indicate that the review will encompass all major digital platforms operated by the ministry, with particular focus on identifying weak points in data access protocols and inter-departmental information sharing arrangements.

The move reflects broader concerns across Indian government ministries regarding data protection and privacy compliance. With increased digitalization of services, ensuring robust safeguards for citizen information has become a priority for policymakers and officials responsible for critical infrastructure systems.