Protected systems declaration for customs digital platforms limits access to authorised personnel under the Information Technology Act framework. Computer resources relating to the ICEGATE Portal, ECCS, ACES-GST portal, their interconnected systems, databases and associated dependencies are declared protected systems as Critical Information Infrastructure under the Information Technology Act, 2000. Access is limited to specified categories of persons, including designated employees, need-based contractual service providers or third-party vendors, and consultants, regulators, Government officials, auditors and stakeholders, each authorised in writing on a case-to-case basis.