Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

The Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in India enhanced dependency on Information Communication Technology (ICT) based on G2C eGovernance applications persistently raised apprehension regarding cyber-attacks and breach of security. Objectives:The present study assesses the status of ambiguity and vulnerability pertaining to security aspects of HEIs G2C eGovernance web portals. Methods:Five prominent central and state HEIs i.e. Malaviya National Institute of Technology - Jaipur (MNIT), National Institute of Technology - Kurukshetra (NITK), Guru Nanak Dev University -Amritsar (GNDU), Maharshi Dayanand University – Rohtak (MDU), and Bhagat Phool Singh Mahila Vishwavidyalaya – Sonipat (BPSMV) were included in the study and Grey Box penetration testing method through open-source software’s Whois.sc, Yougetsignal.com, Kali Linux, Builtwith.com, NMAP, and Google Hacking Database (GHDB), etc. along with social engineering testing through external penetration strategy was applied to assess the ambiguity and vulnerability of HEIs. Findings:The analysis revealed that login IDs and passwords related to web portals, eResources, networks, etc. are freely available and shared without any authorization which is a major cause of security breach. The vulnerability test depicted unencrypted communication between the HEIs portals and servers and the absence of well-articulated security and privacy. Novelty: The study exhibits the lenient view of HEIs administration towards security aspects of G2C eGovernance projects and the outcome would enable the HEIs of India to develop a comprehensive security policy for enriching and securing the G2C eGovernance System.

Keywords: eGovernance; security; ambiguity; vulnerability; privacy policy; social engineering testing