Cyber Security In Pakistan: Myth Or Reality – OpEd

Over the last few decades, the exceptional innovation and use of the cyber space has taken place, giving rise to a inter-connected world and brought people together from all spheres of life on one platform.

The majority of modern nations have ridden themselves of manual systems of infrastructure vital to their national economy and shifted to enhance their systems to digitization. But this huge development and progress has a cost to pay. The nature of digital systems are vulnerable to cyber-attacks by malevolent groups, or individuals, with enhanced and serious repercussions for nations of all over the world.

With an increased usage of internet and phenomenal sophistication of cyber-attacks by state and non-state actors, it has become a serious challenge to eitherlimit the usage of internet or counter these cyber threats. As such, cyber security has come up as a critical issue for the government of Pakistan, military, and security policy makers in the current scenario of receiving persistent cyber threats to the Critical Infrastructure of the country. The Critical Infrastructure such as hospitals, e-government, military establishments, nuclear arsenals, NADRA, Civil Aviation System, emergency services, election commission of Pakistan and many others are key assets containing sensitive and confidential information.

Being an ally with the US on the War on Terror, Pakistan not only favored the International Community, but also stood at the forefront in eliminating extremism and terrorism from the country. However, given due importance, cyber security in the country has been a neglected part that was not given