The federal government approved a 90-day Cyber Security Strategic Action Plan to strengthen Pakistan’s cyber defence capabilities, including accelerated development of Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) and implementation of the Pakistan Information Security Framework (PISF) 2026 across the provinces.

The plan was endorsed during the second meeting of the National Committee for Information and Communications Security (NCICS), chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications and NCICS chairman. Officials stressed the need for urgent measures to address growing cyber threats and ensure prompt implementation of PISF 2026 at federal and provincial levels.

The National Computer Emergency Response Team (nCERT) presented the plan, covering cyber security assessment, governance, compliance, incident response, crisis management, and supply chain security. It also developed a National Cyber Security Handbook for government officials.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) chairman highlighted challenges in establishing the Federal CERT, including the absence of provincial and sectoral CERTs. The National Computer Emergency Response Team, said that under a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) model, these CERTs would operate under nCERT and coordinate with relevant ministries and departments.

The sub-committee also reviewed cyber security measures at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs missions abroad and directed the relevant sub-committee to develop detailed guidelines and an action plan to strengthen their cyber security infrastructure.