President Arif Alvi has urged public and private sectors to collaborate in creating an IT force to enhance cybersecurity and prepare for potential future cyberattacks, given the country’s significant reliance on cyberspace.
“Pakistan and the world have to be prepared for cyberattacks in the future,” President Alvi stated in a video message at the 14th International Conference on Information Security 2022 on Thursday. He expressed alarm over the sale of data from major countries on the dark web, underscoring the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures.
“We must develop our human resources and be ready to combat this kind of interference, which can occur even in peaceful times.”
The president emphasized that cybersecurity is crucial not only for nations but also for multinational companies, banks, and utility companies to operate safely. He highlighted that ransomware attacks have targeted even small businesses, making cybersecurity essential for all sectors.
“IT influences almost everything we do today, whether it is a car, airplane, train, people working, or traffic moving around. If there is interference caused by cyberattacks, it will lead to chaos,” President Alvi warned.
Syed Irfan Ali, Managing Director of the Deposit Protection Corporation (DPC), a subsidiary of the central bank, urged institutions to conduct cybersecurity risk assessments to identify vulnerable sectors of the economy and address these issues effectively.
