IN what could be called a significant and timely initiative, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has launched a centralized platform to counter cyber-attacks on telecom infrastructure. According to a statement issued by the regulator, this will be the first ever sector focused security operations centre formed after the formulation of the cyber security policy. It will offer security solutions for companies to improve their preparedness against any attack.
Telecom industry has assumed great importance in today’s world. It guarantees an intertwining between private communications and business interactions, making it an integral element of everyone’s day-to-day activities, be it through our Smartphone and their connection to the internet, or even airwaves internet cables, enabling seamless communication between various parties from anywhere in the world. Because telecommunications companies manage critical infrastructure, a cyber-attack might have a significant and wide ranging effect. Even a spurious cyber-attack claim might force telecom businesses to stop offering vital services that customers and clients count on. Customer data is another class of high impact target. Telecom firms commonly keep personal data about all of their customers, such as names, addresses and even financial information.
Cyber criminals or insiders looking to extort clients and steal money will find this confidential information to be a seductive target. In this whole context, the cyber security in the telecom industry has assumed a great importance and the PTA has taken a step in the right direction given the fact that over the last two decades, the number of mobile phone subscribers has swelled dramatically in the country. It is estimated that there are close to two hundred million cellular subscribers in Pakistan and it is really important that requisite steps are taken for the protection of their critical data. We are confident that the mechanism evolved by the PTA will be robust enough to effectively counter cyber related threats. Important aspect of the platform is that it will facilitate information sharing between the regulator and telecom service providers on the latest cyber security threats, incidents, vulnerabilities and other important information. Simultaneously, we must also ensure an active cyber defence in other critical sectors.
