CISF takes over security of UIDAI centre in Gurgaon

NEW DELHI: An armed squad of CISF commandos today took over THE full security duties at the vital UIDAI centre, the repository of the Aadhaar data, in Gurgaon to protect it against a terror strike or any other threat.

The Central Industrial Security Force had been guarding the facility as a temporary duty task and the government has now regularised the deployment and granted it the status of a full unit under protection.

The Unique Identification Authority of India centre is located at Manesar in Haryana's Gurgaon district.


"A total of 159 CISF personnel have been tasked to guard the facility. The squad will be led by a deputy commandant-rank officer," force spokesperson Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Hemendra Singh said.

He said the the security of the data centre is "of utmost importance as the establishment is very sensitive and confidential biometric and personal information of the residents of India are stored and maintained at this centre."
He said, "Various applications for welfare schemes of state and central government agencies and departments, banks, among others, are also stored at this centre. IT (information technology) operations are a crucial aspect to run UIDAI operations.

"In view of various security threats, the UIDAI centre in Manesar has come under the security cover of the force," Singh said.

The CISF will provide round-the-clock armed security cover to the facility and special vehicle-borne quick reaction teams of commandos will be stationed at vantage points to respond in case of an attack or sabotage-like activity.

The force will oversee the overall entry and exit at the facility, a job that will be done by other security staff hired by the UIDAI.

In December last year, a squad of 80 CISF commandos had taken over the security of the UIDAI data centre in Bengaluru.