ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Dr. Umar Saif underscored the gravity of cybercrime and the imperative for robust countermeasures during a statement on Wednesday. Speaking at the “Digital Pakistan Cybersecurity Hackathon 2023” prize distribution ceremony, he emphasized the need for effective handling of cyber threats.
The event held here on Wednesday, orchestrated by the National Technology Fund (Ignite), a subsidiary of the IT and Telecommunication Ministry, witnessed Dr. Saif’s insights into the challenges posed by cybercrime. The minister acknowledged the importance of safeguarding Pakistan’s cyberspace under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) but pointed out that the existing cybercrime wing of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) might not be sufficient.
Dr. Saif disclosed the recent establishment of a dedicated agency, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), to replace the FIA for handling cyber crimes. The federal cabinet granted approval for NCCIA’s formation on December 13, with allocated funds to ensure the agency possesses the necessary expertise and resources for preventing, investigating, and prosecuting cybercrimes in Pakistan
He emphasized the gradual transition of authority from FIA’s Cybercrime wing to NCCIA, clarifying that cybercrime, online transactions, cyber-bullying, protection of online data, and other citizen services fall under the state’s responsibility. Dr. Saif asserted that NCCIA would serve as an effective platform to secure Pakistan’s cyberspace, public and private institution data, business transactions, and online activities.
Asim Shehryar Hussain, Chief Executive Officer of IGNITE, outlined efforts to identify and nurture talent capable of countering malicious cyber attempts on national networks. Hussain noted progress in establishing operational readiness for Pakistan’s National Computer Emergency Response Team (NCERT) and the forthcoming institutionalization of a Cyber Security Authority. He stressed the importance of public awareness about cybersecurity and highlighted the success of Pakistani teams in international cyber-security competitions.
Hussain proudly mentioned that six Pakistani teams participated in Blackhat’s cyber-security competition in Saudi Arabia in November, with four of them ranking in the top 35 out of 250 international teams. He emphasized the pivotal role of education in shaping a safer digital space, citing the achievements as a testament to the high caliber of participants and the success of ongoing initiatives.
This underscores the collective efforts to fortify Pakistan’s cybersecurity landscape and cultivate a vigilant, knowledgeable community adept at thwarting cyber threats.
