Karnataka government to upgrade Aadhaar authentication security infrastructure
The Karnataka government is upgrading its Hardware Security Module to improve the security and reliability of Aadhaar authentication services. The maintenance is scheduled during off-hours to ensure minimal disruption to citizen services.
Why it matters
This upgrade is critical for maintaining the integrity of digital public infrastructure and protecting sensitive biometric-linked data from unauthorized access.
The Karnataka government has initiated the upgradation of the Hardware Security Module (HSM) that powers Aadhaar authentication services across government departments, with the aim of strengthening digital governance, cybersecurity, and uninterrupted citizen services.
Home, Information Technology & Biotechnology and e-Governance Minister Priyank Kharge said the upgrade is a preventive technology enhancement aimed at ensuring higher security, improved reliability, and continued compliance with national security standards.
Under the Aadhaar Act, Aadhaar numbers are not meant to be stored in local databases. Instead, they are to be stored in a secure Aadhaar Data Vault in encrypted form. The encryption keys that protect the data are housed in a Hardware Security Module, a specialised tamper-resistant device designed to prevent unauthorised access.
In Karnataka, nearly 10 to 12 lakh Aadhaar authentication requests are processed across various government departments.
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