Sensitive messages should be sent through secure media, cops told

New Delhi: The Delhi Police has told their officers to use secure fax for the transmission of important messages. Sources claimed that the move came after law enforcement agency found that the messages sent through Police Network (POLNET) can be intercepted easily. Sources told Millennium Post that a circular was issued by the office of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations and Communication) in August.

"It has been observed that classified messages are sent through POLNET to other States in plain languages. The POLNET is unsecure media and it is not having encryption provision presently," sources said quoting circular contents.

Sources further revealed that the messages sent through POLNET in plain languages can be intercepted easily and may lead to the security threat. "Delhi Police is already providing encryption facility in proposed up-gradation of POLNET through the Directorate of Coordination, Police Wireless (DCPW) so as to prevent any possible interception of classified messages by any agency," sources said while quoting the circular contents.

Adding further, sources said," In view of above all the classified messages should be delivered either through secure fax or through DCPW headquarters or from MHA for onward transmission to concerned officer/state as locations are having Cipher facility."

City Police told officers that this may be given personnel attention on top priority. POLNET a satellite-based network has been actively involved in facilitating communication among various State Police/Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).

In July, LG Anil Baijal had reviewed the "Implementation Status & Plans for use of Technology by Delhi Police". Delhi Police informed LG that Mobile Control Room (MCR) project has been commissioned which will act as standby Command & Control at the place of function and incident.