Provincial Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) have been established in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Sindh, and Balochistan, Pakistan’s four provinces. These teams are composed of particular departments.
ProPakistani has been informed by sources that Sindh has identified its Science Department as its CERT, and Punjab has selected the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB). The KP IT Board has been designated as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s CERT, joining the state’s operational KP Computer Emergency Response Center (CERC). Additionally, Balochistan has designated its Science Department to manage its CERT duties.
Ministry of IT and Telecom officials have attested to the fact that the provinces have conveyed their decisions and that the Ministry has taken action to form a CERT council. Academic institutions, businesses, and civil society organizations have already nominated members of the CERT council to the Ministry of IT and Telecom.
The process of forming significant CERTs will be initiated by the CERT council, which will serve as the supreme authority monitoring cybersecurity measures. It will forward suggestions for the formation of Provincial and Sectoral CERTs. The federal government will formally notify the designated provincial CERTs based on these recommendations.
The structure will consist of National, Provincial, Government, and Sectoral CERTs, under the CERT Rules, 2023. In March of this year, the National CERT was previously notified by the federal government. The CERT council’s establishment will mark the start of concerted efforts to address cybersecurity vulnerabilities across the country.
