mehul sharma
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HYDERABAD: Information technology (IT) companies in the city may soon be snooping on their employees' surfing habits to check if they are accessing terror-related information on the internet. This follows the Cyberabad police's advisory to the companies in view of several software professionals emerging as closet sympathisers of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
In the past few days, at least two meetings were held by the Cyberabad police with honchos of IT/ITeS companies to take stock of preparedness for lone-wolf terror attacks, hostage crisis or other emergencies.
After learning that some software companies had voluntarily put checks in place to restrain their employees from accessing social networking sites, the Cyberabad police advised all IT firms to impose restrictions on accessing social networking groups associated with Iraq, Syria, Pakistan and other terror-hit countries.
Police have also asked the firms to keep tabs on employees who access these social groups at workplace and, if they are found to be suspicious in nature, inform them. It is learnt that the firms would enhance internet security features and remote sensing.
Though these guidelines were oral in nature during the meetings, police advised that the companies should have foolproof multiple-layer anti-sabotage measures.
Additional deputy commissioner of police (Madhapur) M Srinivas Rao, who is also in-charge of security wing of Society for Cyberabad Security Council, told TOI that several standard operating procedures (SOPs) were suggested to be put in place to deal with terror-related crisis.
Police have already increased armed security in the IT corridor. They have directed companies not to allow unauthorised persons and scan vehicles before allowing them on their premises.
"Three meetings have taken place so far and police gave different SOPs about our security mechanism, reaction during a hostage crisis or an armed attack. The companies were told to keep blueprints of their buildings ready and ensure complete surveillance of their premises,'' Society for Cyberabad Security Council secretary V Srinivas Prasad told TOI.
In the past few days, at least two meetings were held by the Cyberabad police with honchos of IT/ITeS companies to take stock of preparedness for lone-wolf terror attacks, hostage crisis or other emergencies.
After learning that some software companies had voluntarily put checks in place to restrain their employees from accessing social networking sites, the Cyberabad police advised all IT firms to impose restrictions on accessing social networking groups associated with Iraq, Syria, Pakistan and other terror-hit countries.
Police have also asked the firms to keep tabs on employees who access these social groups at workplace and, if they are found to be suspicious in nature, inform them. It is learnt that the firms would enhance internet security features and remote sensing.
Though these guidelines were oral in nature during the meetings, police advised that the companies should have foolproof multiple-layer anti-sabotage measures.
Additional deputy commissioner of police (Madhapur) M Srinivas Rao, who is also in-charge of security wing of Society for Cyberabad Security Council, told TOI that several standard operating procedures (SOPs) were suggested to be put in place to deal with terror-related crisis.
Police have already increased armed security in the IT corridor. They have directed companies not to allow unauthorised persons and scan vehicles before allowing them on their premises.
"Three meetings have taken place so far and police gave different SOPs about our security mechanism, reaction during a hostage crisis or an armed attack. The companies were told to keep blueprints of their buildings ready and ensure complete surveillance of their premises,'' Society for Cyberabad Security Council secretary V Srinivas Prasad told TOI.
