Kerala’s IT policy based on Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) had insulated the State to some extent from the recent WannaCry ransomware virus attack, the government told the Assembly on Friday.
“Compared to other States, Kerala was largely unaffected by the cyberattack. Computers in only six panchayats were affected. The FOSS-based IT policy formulated during the previous LDF regime is one of the main reasons,” Law Minister A.K. Balan, who was officiating for Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, said.
Replying to a calling attention motion moved by P. Ubaidulla, he said the police had registered a case and were investigating the cyberattack. “There are limitations in tracking down the perpetrators as it was part of an international racket,” he said.
Mr. Balan said computers using the Windows operating system were affected by the ransomware attack, while machines based on open source software such as Linux were not affected. The government had responded in time to create heightened public awareness about cybersecurity.
He said the State’s policy was to promote free software in public institutions.
Moving the motion, Mr. Ubaidulla urged the government for steps to strengthen the cybersecurity system in the State.
