Understanding Cybersecurity in Pakistan
The technology trends in Pakistan are growing rapidly with every aspect of digitalization, and at the same time, cybercrime is also on the rise. Virtually all types of organizations are at risk from large banks to small start-ups and any such risk could undermine service delivery, distort data integrity or damage the corporate image. Appreciating these dangers is a life skill to be dependable in business and society as well.
Cyber criminals now have new techniques. In the area of data security, phishing attacks, where users are duped into typing in passwords and financial information, are still prevalent. Also, there have been more reports of malware and ransomware attacks on various government and private institutions. At certain times, the attacks have even caused total paralysis to firms – a few days of no operation translates to losses in the millions.
In Pakistan, the growth of new information technology (IT)-based services, i.e., e-Banking, Internet sales, and teleworking, has swiftly expanded the boundaries in which e-Crime can occur. This sort of threat is particularly specific to small and medium enterprises, who are usually unable to implement advanced security measures. In contrast, government bodies are actively implementing the national cyber security frameworks, but results are still not in sight.
Both entities and individuals can undertake steps that are helpful in reducing the risk. Such measures are the introduction of timely updates of programs, used, applying of qualitative settings for user passwords, activation of double authentication — whenever possible as well as the education of employees relative to the protocols for recognition of phishing techniques. As for companies, there would be a necessity to allocate some funds for the implementation of cyber security features and the related detection infrastructure in order to avoid more expensive processes of damages repair.