Data Protection & Security Policy

1. Introduction / परिचय

At कुरुकसारथी, operated by Blemense Technologies, we implement comprehensive data protection and security measures to safeguard all information entrusted to us. This policy outlines our security framework, compliance standards, and protection mechanisms for election management data.

We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of data security and compliance with Indian laws, including the Information Technology Act 2000, Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023, and related regulations.

2. Security Framework / सुरक्षा फ्रेमवर्क

2.1 Multi-Layered Security Approach

2.2 Security Standards

We follow industry-standard security frameworks including ISO 27001, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and OWASP guidelines to ensure comprehensive protection of all data and systems.

3. Encryption Standards / एन्क्रिप्शन मानके

3.1 Data at Rest Encryption

3.2 Data in Transit Encryption

3.3 Key Management

Encryption keys are managed using Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) and cloud-based key management services. Keys are never stored in plain text and access is restricted to authorized personnel only.

4. Access Controls / प्रवेश नियंत्रण

4.1 Identity and Access Management

4.2 Administrative Access

• Administrative access is limited to authorized personnel only
• All administrative actions are logged and monitored
• Privileged access requires additional authentication
• Regular access reviews and permission audits
• Immediate revocation of access upon role changes

4.3 User Access Levels

5. Network Security / नेटवर्क सुरक्षा

5.1 Infrastructure Security

5.2 Cloud Security

Our cloud infrastructure is hosted on certified platforms with enterprise-grade security. We implement additional security layers including virtual private clouds, security groups, and network access control lists.

6. Monitoring and Logging / मॉनिटरिंग आणि लॉगिंग

6.1 Security Monitoring

6.2 Audit Logging

• All user actions and system events are logged
• Logs are stored securely with tamper-proof mechanisms
• Regular log analysis and security incident detection
• Compliance with data retention requirements
• Forensic capabilities for security investigations

7. Compliance Standards / अनुपालन मानके

7.1 Indian Legal Compliance

7.2 International Standards

• ISO 27001:2013 Information Security Management System
• NIST Cybersecurity Framework
• OWASP Application Security Guidelines
• PCI DSS for payment processing (where applicable)
• GDPR principles for data protection transparency

8. Incident Response / घटना प्रतिसाद

8.1 Security Incident Response Plan

8.2 Breach Notification

In case of a data breach, we will notify affected users and relevant authorities as required by the DPDP Act 2023. Our notification will include details about the breach, potential impact, and steps being taken to address the situation.

9. Data Backup and Recovery / डेटा बॅकअप आणि पुनर्प्राप्ती

9.1 Backup Strategy

• Automated daily backups with point-in-time recovery
• Geographically distributed backup storage
• Encrypted backup data with separate key management
• Regular backup testing and restoration procedures
• Retention policies aligned with legal requirements

9.2 Disaster Recovery

We maintain a comprehensive disaster recovery plan with defined Recovery Time Objectives (RTO) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPO). Our infrastructure is designed for high availability with redundant systems and failover capabilities.

10. Third-Party Security / तृतीय पक्ष सुरक्षा

10.1 Vendor Security Assessment

All third-party service providers undergo rigorous security assessments before integration. We ensure that vendors maintain appropriate security standards and comply with our data protection requirements.

10.2 Data Processing Agreements

• Strict data processing agreements with all vendors
• Regular security audits of third-party services
• Data minimization and purpose limitation principles
• Right to audit vendor security practices
• Immediate termination for security violations

11. Security Training / सुरक्षा प्रशिक्षण

11.1 Employee Security Awareness

11.2 User Education

We provide security guidance and best practices to our users through documentation, training materials, and regular security updates to help them maintain secure usage of the platform.

12. Policy Updates / धोरण अद्यतने

This Data Protection & Security Policy is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect changes in technology, threats, and regulatory requirements. Users will be notified of significant changes via email and platform notifications.

13. Contact Information / संपर्क माहिती