The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Pakistan, in collaboration with the Research Society of International Law, convened a round table discussion titled “Cyber Security and the Law” on May 17, 2023. This event, part of the Diplomacy, Law and Policy (DLP) Forum, aimed to explore the legal dimensions of cyber warfare and the application of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in cyberspace.
Attended by fifteen participants, including government representatives, researchers, and academics, the discussion delved into various topics across three sessions. The participants collectively approved a position paper advocating for Pakistan’s adherence to IHL in cyberspace and emphasized the need for a legally binding instrument to regulate state behavior and ensure compliance with IHL.
The Government of Pakistan has shown receptiveness to the ICRC’s initiatives in shaping cyber policy. The Ministry of IT & Telecom welcomed ICRC’s feedback on the National Cyber Security Policy, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs collaborated with the ICRC to formulate Pakistan’s position paper on the applicability of international law in cyberspace.
The first session focused on Pakistan’s current cyber security framework, highlighting the country’s vulnerability to cyber threats and its efforts to address them. The discussion touched upon the challenges in delineating authority between different ministries, particularly regarding cyber security and cyber warfare.
The second session featured presentations on the development of a digital emblem to protect civilian data from cyber attacks and explored the applicability of domestic and international law to cyberspace. Participants stressed the importance of consensus-building among states on unresolved issues and definitions to effectively apply IHL in cyberspace.
The round table concluded with recommendations to enhance Pakistan’s cyber security and defense capabilities. Key suggestions included prioritizing data protection, fostering public-private partnerships, facilitating international cooperation in cyber crime cases, implementing auditing and compliance frameworks for private entities, and establishing Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) to respond to cyber warfare efficiently.
Overall, the event provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange insights and collaborate towards bolstering Pakistan’s cyber resilience and legal frameworks in the face of evolving cyber threats.
