Breaching of NID server

The latest leakage of the personal information of 55-million Bangladesh citizens in a data breach is highly alarming. It's shocking to learn about the cavalier manner in which the basic data of the country's citizens are stored under the supposedly foolproof national surveillance. The web server is considered inaccessible. The focus of the present leakage is the National Identity Card (NID) server. The report of the data breach follows a similar incident on June 7, which exposed the personal information of around 50 million citizens.  It is nightmarish to think that the sensitive information may fall into wrong hands. The authorities suspect that one of the 174 organisations having access to the NID server was behind the breach. It's worth mentioning that this key-server of national importance preserves information of around 120 million voters. Of them 55 million persons possess smart NID cards, production of which is mandatory for availing many government services.

That the persons behind the two incidents of data leakage are highly skilled software professionals is implied. They have detailed knowledge of Telegram bot. This device is used to access the leaked data --- which includes individuals' names, gender, parents' names, phone number, addresses, photograph, and other personal details. As the device goes, if one puts the date of birth and the 10-digit smart card number, it automatically reveals the other information of a person or persons. Few efforts are easier to identify and get the profile of people; provided the operators are highly skilled. Bot, short for robot, is an autonomous programme on the internet or another network that can interact with systems or users. Bot has stunning capabilities at its command. It operates as an agent for a user to simulate a human activity. In accessing vital servers bots are normally used to automate certain tasks. It means they can operate without specific instructions from humans.

The quarters behind the barging into the NID server are yet to be singled out. Given the dexterity of the persons involved in the act coupled with the latest digital sophistication, the whole episode presents a grim picture. But science cannot defy the dictates of rationality. Perhaps in accordance with this principle, the system manager at the NID wing of the Election Commission expressed his ignorance about the identity of the people behind the data breach. But he did not deny the fact that he became aware of the intervention on Tuesday (October 3). The system manager of the EC NID wing assured of appropriate action against the organisation found responsible. He, however, refused to identify it.

Against the backdrop of the repeated digital heists or data leakages, there are reasons for agonising worries on the part of persons in charge of different entities. That the general people are also not spared the anxiety involved. The bolt from the blue in the form of NID leakage is feared to jeopardize the lives of many innocent persons. Anxieties and premonition overtake them. They might start bracing for a series of undesirable developments stemming from data breach. All this may have an adverse impact on the national dream of becoming a 'Smart Bangladesh'. Server complications have lately led to regular sufferings of the utility bill payers. But the NID data leakage is one of catastrophic proportions. Putting in place a strong data protection device for the all-important server brooks no delay.