NIC tells government bodies to switch off Windows XP

The National Informatics Centre (NIC) has informed government bodies across the country that it will not support websites and e-governance platforms running on Windows XP after March 31, following Microsoft Corporation's decision to pull the plug on the operating system.

The NIC, which is the Central government's main organisation handling IT matters, provides wide-ranging support to bodies inside and outside the country, in operating websites and other platforms. "Government departments have been told to switch to other operating systems like Windows 7 or to open source operating systems like Linux," a source said.

Microsoft has announced that it will not even provide technical assistance for Windows XP-including automatic updates that protect computers from malware and viruses-after April 8, the sources said.

"Applications on government websites and platforms running on Windows XP will continue to function smoothly. But there will be problems if, for example, any new application is added to the website," the source told Mail Today.

Besides providing technical support for government websites, NIC plays a key role in protecting them from hackers and in securing government communications.

The government in Tamil Nadu has already directed its departments to install a free open source, Bharat Operating System Solutions Linux, operating system. Besides government bodies, many staterun banks are also expected to switch from Windows XP as Microsoft's decision has left many branches and ATMs vulnerable to security risks such as identity theft and fraud.

According to a recent study by Ascentius Consulting, over 34,100 branches of public sector banks are at risk. Some 50 per cent of computers in government offices and 30 per cent in banks are believed to run on Windows XP, which was launched in 2001.