Executive Summary:
This Trade Notice from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) addresses the safe custody of digital tokens, documents, and scrips, given the DGFT's increasing reliance on digital initiatives. It outlines best practices for secure online transactions to prevent online theft of duty credit scrips, certificates, and authorizations. Members of the trade industry and EPCs are urged to enhance vigilance.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Security Best Practices for Online Transactions:**
* Use strong, complex passwords and change them regularly.
* Do not share sensitive personal information such as usernames, passwords and OTPs.
* Exercise caution when clicking links or attachments from unknown senders.
* Report any unauthorized issuance of Digital Signature Certificates (DSCs) immediately.
* Check the validity of DSCs regularly with the certifying authority.
* Avoid clicking on links or attachments from unrecognized senders.
* Be wary of .zip or other compressed file types in attachments.
* Only open email attachments if you know the sender and are expecting the email.
* Avoid using public WIFI to access official email or the DGFT website.
* Be cautious of suspicious or misleading domain names in email senders’ addresses.
* Carefully inspect URLs to ensure they are legitimate.
* Do not open shared documents that you are not expecting.
* **Call to Action:**
* Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) and Industry Associations should sensitize their members about vigilance and prevention of online theft.
Impact Analysis
* **Members of Trade and Industry:**
* Impact: Increased responsibility for safeguarding digital assets and preventing online fraud.
* Action Required: Implement the outlined best practices for secure online transactions, enhance vigilance, and educate staff on security protocols.
* **Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) and Industry Associations:**
* Impact: Responsibility for disseminating security information and promoting awareness among their members.
* Action Required: Sensitize members regarding the need for vigilance and prevention of online theft of digital assets.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate General of Foreign Trade: A department under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, responsible for foreign trade policy.
Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi: The location of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, New Delhi, India.
Ministry of Commerce and Industry: A ministry of the Government of India.
EPCs: Export Promotion Councils. Requested to sensitize their members about the need to be vigilant and prevent any online theft of duty credit scrips certificates authorizations.
Aadhaar: A 12-digit individual identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India. Mentioned in the context of Aadhaar based esign.
DSC: Digital Signature Certificate. Mentioned in the context of unauthorized issuance and security.
DGFT Website: The official website of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.
Dr. Praveen Kumar: Deputy Director General of Foreign Trade.
Government of India
Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Department of Commerce
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi
Dated: 26" November , 2021
Trade Notice No. 26 /2021-22
‘FO;
Exporters/Members of Trade
EPCs
Industry Associations
Subject: Safe Custody of digital tokens, documents, scrips etc.
Members of trade and industry are aware that various digital initiatives have been
initiated by this Directorate recently with an objective to provide transparent, paperless,
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Aadhaar based e-sign.
2. In this context, Members of Trade & Industry are requested to take note of the following
best practices to ensure safe and secure online transactions :
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aDgoen tnso/t p ecrlsiocnks .on links or attachments from senders that you do not recognize. Be
vii. e Ms ap kec ei a sl ul ry e w ya or uy o of p e.z ni p a o nr y o at th te ar cc ho mm ep nr te os rs e cd l io cr k e ox ne c au nt yab ll ie n f ki l fe r t oy mpe s a. n email id only if you
know the sender and are expecting an email from them.viii. Public WIFI is not as secure as the Office WIFI or your personal WIFI at home. It is
advised not to access your Official/Personal Email ID or to login to the DGFT Website
using public WIFI.
ix. Watch for email senders that use suspicious or misleading domain names.
x. Inspect URLs carefully to make sure they’re legitimate and not imposter sites.
xi. Do not try to open any shared document that you’re not expecting to receive.
3 EPCs and Industry Associations are requested to sensitize their members about the need
to be vigilant and prevent any online theft of duty credit scrips/ certificates/ authorizations.
4. These issues with approval of the Competent authority.
av
(Dr. Praveen Kumar)
Deputy Director General of Foreign Trade
[Issued from F.No.01/61/180/169/AM18/PC-3]