How could NID databases not have a backup system?

It is very worrying to note that the National Identity Card (NID) server of the Election Commission (EC) has no Disaster Recovery Site (DRS) or proper backup (alternative storage system) of various personal information of about 12 crore citizens of the country. Obviously, as a result, the national database is in great danger of oblivion if any technical glitch or natural disaster occurs. It is really strange the importance of having DRS has not crossed the mind of relevant authorities for a long time.

The NID database contains about 30 types of personal information of about 12 crore voters and 171 public and private organisations are constantly taking information verification services from this database of EC. How could this huge nationally important personal information remain insecure when the government spent huge money for its so-called Digital Bangladesh programme?

Recently the personal information of millions of people was leaked from the website of an organisation that takes this service from EC. After this leak, the issue of safety and security in digital information management in the country came into discussion. The lack of DRS of NID has also surfaced recently at a meeting of the EC’s Information Technology Implementation Committee.

However, the alternative storage system (backup) has been in the discussion for a long time, and the relevant authorities have ignored this serious matter. Curiously, it appeared the Election Commission was more interested to buy such things as unimportant EVM (Electronic Voting Machines) rather than protecting the nationally important data which is crucial. Still, the government passed and is making use of the draconian Digital Security Act (DSA) for hounding people including journalists and writers for speaking against the government.

The cyber security of national databases must be ensured as soon as possible. If the server is damaged due to any natural disaster or any other reason, the overall digital management of the country will be disrupted. Starting from banking operations to selling SIM cards – services are constantly taken from NID databases. There is no alternative to DRS to NID databases. A live backup (both servers running at the same time) must be available for securing the citizens’ personal information.