By Dr. Saman Shali

Maintaining workplace confidentiality is one of the most essential characteristics of employees worldwide, especially in government. This concealment has been compromised in today's technology age, and the whistleblower's job has taken over. Using a cell phone in many government buildings is a severe breach of the law, and the administration must safeguard secrecy using all legal means. Mobile phones can have positive and negative consequences on government agency operations and the security of state secrets. Here are some ways mobile phones might affect performance and state secrets, as well as some precautionary steps to avoid information leakage.

1. Positive Impacts:

1. Communication and Efficiency: Mobile phones can improve communication and efficiency within government enterprises by allowing employees to stay connected, share information, and collaborate while on the go.

2. Information Access: Mobile devices can give government personnel instant access to critical information and data, increasing decision-making processes.

3. Emergency Response: Mobile phones may be instrumental in emergency and disaster management, allowing quick communication and coordination during emergencies.

2. Negative Impacts:

1. Security risks: Mobile phones are susceptible to hackers, viruses, and other security risks. They can provide access to sensitive government data and state secrets if they are compromised.

2. Unauthorized Access: If mobile phones are lost or stolen, unauthorized individuals may get access to government secrets, especially if they are not properly secured with strong passwords or biometric verification.

3. Data Leakage: When government employees use mobile phones to send or retain sensitive information, inadvertent data leakage might occur. These leaks might occur via email, chat apps, or cloud services.

4. Spyware and Surveillance: Some governments or bad actors may use spyware or surveillance techniques to monitor government officials' mobile device activity and communications.

The regulation governing the use of cameras in government buildings, including the usage of mobile phones equipped with cameras, varies greatly depending on the government agency, the type of government facility, and the security measures in place. Government entities should consider the following procedures to avoid the leakage of sensitive government information via mobile phones:

1. Policy and Security standards: Establish and enforce rigorous security standards for mobile device use within government entities. Educating employees should be on security best practices and the risks connected with mobile phone use within their facilities. These policies are designed to protect sensitive information, classified materials, and the security of the building.

2. Security risks: Some government institutions have strict security measures in place, and utilizing cameras, even those on mobile phones, may be restricted or prohibited. This restriction is frequently the case in sensitive or classified areas with a risk of espionage or unauthorized photography.

3. Data Leakage: When government employees use mobile phones to send or retain sensitive information, inadvertent data leakage might occur. These leaks might occur via email, chat apps, or cloud services.

4. Encryption: Encrypt mobile devices to protect stored data. To protect communications and data at rest, use robust encryption technologies.

5. Secure Network Connections: Encourage users to use safe and trusted networks, such as virtual private networks (VPNs), when accessing or transmitting sensitive data. The VPN is critical for using desktops, laptops, and iPads at the workplace.

6. Security Enforcement: Camera restrictions are subject to varying levels of enforcement. Security officers in some government facilities may actively enforce these policies. Others, on the other hand, may rely on signage and trust that individuals will obey freely, and this reliance may jeopardize security and government institutions. This security includes device locks, secure storage, and clear guidelines on handling lost or stolen devices.

7. Legislation: In some countries, the use of cameras in government facilities is governed by legislation, and infractions of these regulations can result in severe legal consequences.

8. Instructions for Visitors: Visitors to government buildings are usually subject to the same camera policies and restrictions. These policies must be understood and followed by all visitors.

Finally, whether to allow or ban the use of iPhones and other cameras in government facilities must be balanced against security considerations and the need for transparency and public access to government information.

To secure state secrets and sensitive information from unauthorized access and leakage, government agencies must balance the benefits of mobile technology with the possible hazards and deploy rigorous security measures. The procedures taken may differ based on the demands and security requirements of the agency.

The confidentiality of the Kurdistan Regional Government has been damaged in several ways. As a result, they must give tight rules barring the use of phones with cameras in all government facilities, and only authorized workers may carry phones with cameras. Due to mobility in some ministries, employees can communicate on duty using internal or mobile phones without a camera. Furthermore, no visitors, without exception, are permitted to bring mobile phones with cameras inside any government building at any time; violators will face severe legal consequences. These regulations must also be established in all Iraqi government facilities to protect against data leaks, spying, and sabotage within the government.

Saman Shali has a Ph.D. in Science (1981) from the University of Sussex. Dr. Shali worked as an Assistant Researcher and Assistant Professor at the University of Sussex, King Saud University, and Pennsylvania State University. He is also a senior fellow at the Mediterranean Institute for Regional Studies.