In a proactive stance to fortify cybersecurity, the government of Pakistan issued 64 cybersecurity advisories in 2023. Disseminated by the cabinet division, these advisories aimed to heighten awareness among government officials and citizens about the escalating threats of cyberattacks.
Comparing recent figures reveals an intensified government effort in this domain. In 2022, 57 advisories were issued, showcasing a significant increase from the previous year. In 2021, the government issued a total of 90 advisories, underscoring the growing significance of cybersecurity. The year 2020 marked the inception of a more vigilant approach with 28 advisories released.
These advisories covered a spectrum of cyber threats, including malware, dubious applications, activities of Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) groups, warnings against fraudulent links and emails, identification of vulnerabilities in various products, cautionary notes about financial scams, spoofed messages, and impersonation attempts, among others.
In response to the evolving cyber threat landscape, the government established the National Telecommunication and Information Security Board (NTISB) in 2020 under the cabinet division. Over the past three years, NTISB has played a pivotal role in issuing timely advisories to bolster the nation’s cybersecurity posture.
In a recent development, the government approved the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) rules for 2023. The Ministry of IT and Telecom is actively in the process of notifying the establishment of the National CERT. According to the ministry, the implementation of National and Sectoral CERTs will significantly enhance the response time to cyberattacks, ensuring a more efficient and systemic approach to cybersecurity in the country.
