Pakistan Computer Emergency Response Team

{{Short description|Responsible national body for coordinating cybersecurity incidents and threats}}

{{Infobox organization

| name = National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT) of Pakistan or PKCERT

| image =

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| abbreviation = nCERT/PKCERT

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| formation = March 11, 2024

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| type = Government Agency

| status = Active

| purpose = Cybersecurity

| headquarters =

| location = L-Block, Pak Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan.

| region_served = Pakistan

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| leader_title = Director General

| leader_name = [https://www.linkedin.com/in/haider-abbas-6106143b/ Dr. Haider Abbas]

| main_organ =

| parent_organisation = Cabinet Division ()

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| website = {{url|https://pkcert.gov.pk/|PKCERT Website}}

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'''National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT) of Pakistan or PKCERT is a national initiative aimed at strengthening cyber security in Pakistan. PKCERT was established to counter the growing cyber threats and hacking attempts targeting various public sector entities.

History

The Government of Pakistan on 11 March 2024 announced the formation of the country's first National Cyber Emergency Response Team (CERT).{{Cite web|url=https://humnews.pk/technology/pakistans-first-national-cybersecurity-team-established/|title=Pakistan's first national 'Computer Emergency Response Team' established|first=Web|last=Desk|date=October 12, 2023|website=Hum NEWS}} The development was aimed at keeping Pakistan's cyberspace safe from emerging threats and hacking attempts targeting public sector institutions.{{Cite web |date=2021-11-07 |title=IT ministry to form CERT to counter cyber attacks |url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/838677/it-ministry-to-form-cert-to-counter-cyber-attacks/ |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=Daily Times |language=en-US}}{{Cite web|url=https://mettisglobal.news/it-ministry-to-form-cert-to-counter-cyber-attacks/|title=IT ministry to form CERT to counter cyber attacks|date=November 2, 2021}}

The Federal Cabinet of Pakistan approved the Cyber Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) Rule 2023 on 17 July 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nation.com.pk/17-Jul-2023/cabinet-approves-computer-emergency-response-teams-rule-2023-amin|title=Cabinet approves Computer Emergency Response Teams Rule 2023: Amin|date=July 17, 2023|website=The Nation}} The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication officially notified the CERT Rules on 13 October 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40267846|title=CERT Rules, 2023 notified to bolster cyber security defences|first=Tahir|last=Amin|date=October 13, 2023|website=Brecorder}}

Role and responsibilities

The primary objective of these CERT teams at both the national and sectoral levels is to enhance Pakistan's overall cyber security posture and resilience. CERTs are responsible for protecting against, detecting and responding to cyber security incidents, and will enhance the country's capacity to manage cyber security incidents.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ibanet.org/Fortifying-cybersecurity-Pakistan-CERT-Rules|title=Fortifying cybersecurity: Pakistan's CERT Rules 2023 and their implications|website=www.ibanet.org}} The recently established CERT team is assigned to create a national framework that will manage responses to threats, assaults on vital infrastructure, information systems, data, or extensive breaches of information systems throughout Pakistan.

Founding Director General / Head of Pakistan's CERT

[https://www.linkedin.com/in/haider-abbas-6106143b/ Dr. Haider Abbas], an eminent professor from the National University of Sciences and Technology, has been designated as the founding Director General of Pakistan's National Cyber Emergency Response Team.https://nust.edu.pk/news/prof-dr-haider-abbas-to-lead-pakistans-national-cybersecurity/

References

{{Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (Pakistan)}}

Category:2023 establishments in Pakistan

Category:Computer security in Pakistan

Category:Computer security organizations

Category:Government agencies established in 2023

Category:Government agencies of Pakistan