ISLAMABAD: The National Cyber Emergency Response Team (CERT) has issued a series of urgent cybersecurity directives as the country prepares to mark Defence Day, amid rising fears of potential cyber assaults targeting national infrastructure.
In a statement, the National CERT urged key government agencies and critical organizations to establish dedicated cybersecurity control centers from September 5 to 7. Regional and sector-specific CERTs have also been instructed to stay vigilant and ready to respond to any cyber threats during this period.
The National Security Operations Centre (NSOC) will serve as the central command for cyber defense coordination throughout Defence Day, operating round-the-clock to oversee the cyber landscape and facilitate real-time information sharing.
Institutions have been advised to intensify surveillance of vital networks, websites, and digital platforms, and to report any unusual activity or security breaches immediately. Emphasis has been placed on maintaining close communication with the NSOC for intelligence sharing and coordinated response efforts.
To bolster defenses, organizations are instructed to ensure cybersecurity focal points and technical teams are on standby from September 5 to 7, prepared for swift action in case of cyber incidents. Special precautions include activating firewalls, deploying DDoS mitigation tools, and keeping all web systems current with the latest security updates.
The directives also specify the use of multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts, strengthening overall security controls, and updating operating systems promptly. Unnecessary services must be disabled, and systems for detecting and preventing cyberattacks should remain operational on all critical servers.
Furthermore, sensitive databases should be shielded from direct public access via IP addresses, and security logs must be monitored diligently. Institutions are also urged to keep offline or air-gapped backups of essential data and configurations ready for immediate deployment if needed.
Lastly, data centers and security operations hubs are instructed to ensure alternative internet and power supplies are in place, facilitating uninterrupted operations during potential disruptions.
These comprehensive measures aim to safeguard Pakistan’s digital infrastructure against any cyber threats during the national observance of Defence Day.
