Cabinet approves National Cyber Security Policy

The Federal Cabinet on Tuesday approved Pakistan’s first National Cyber Security Policy prepared by the Ministry of IT.

It will set up Cyber Governance Policy Committee to ensure the protection of online data and information of citizens, public and private institutions.

IT Minister Aminul Haq said that the government has also approved a budget of Rs 1.92 billion for the national level response team, which the government will formulate under the new national cybersecurity policy.

Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a meeting of the cabinet to consider approval of the first National Cyber Security Policy.

Ministry of IT had prepared a draft of the first National Cyber Security Policy to ensure the safety of online data.

Committee to Implement National Cybersecurity Policy

The government will establish a “Cyber Governance Policy Committee” for the implementation of national cybersecurity policy and ensure oversight, strategy, and action.

Ministry of IT officials and experts deserve congratulations for formulating the most important policy in a short period of time, Aminul Haq IT minister said in a statement.

The primary objective of the policy is to ensure the protection of online data and information of citizens, public and private institutions.

Minister said that government will also consider a cyberattack on a Pakistani institution an attack on national integrity in line with the new policy.

In case of a cyberattack, the government will take all necessary measures and retaliation action to counter-attack.

Aminul Haq further added that they would integrate and strengthen the cybersecurity processes in public and private service networks.

Under the policy, the government will also form computer emergency response teams at a national, sectoral, and institutional level, the minister added.

It will also equip experts will all essential and modern tools to ensure national cybersecurity under the new policy.