Islamabad,(June 28, 2025): The National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT) has issued a high-priority advisory, urging all public, private, and government organizations to immediately strengthen their email security.
The warning comes amidst rising cyber threats stemming from weak email configurations, which are leaving institutions vulnerable to sophisticated attacks like phishing, fraud, and domain spoofing.
National CERT emphasizes that these vulnerabilities pose severe risks, threatening national security, economic stability, and public trust. Immediate action is critical to prevent devastating consequences.
Email Security Warning: Rising Threats of Phishing and BEC Attacks
Cybercriminals are actively exploiting poor email settings to execute widespread phishing and Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams.
Attackers often impersonate legitimate organizations, tricking recipients into revealing sensitive credentials, distributing dangerous ransomware, and committing large-scale financial fraud.
Without proper security measures, these malicious emails can bypass detection, significantly increasing the risk of data breaches across various sectors.
The advisory underscores the urgent need for robust authentication protocols to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive systems and information.
Read More: CDA Conducts Sealing Operation Against Illegal Constructions in Zone-V, Islamabad
Domain Spoofing: A Critical Vulnerability
A major concern highlighted by National CERT is domain spoofing, where attackers mimic trusted domains to deceive recipients.
This is often possible due to missing or misconfigured email authentication settings such as Sender Policy Framework (SPF), DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM), and Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance (DMARC).
Such misconfigurations allow malicious emails to appear as if they originate from legitimate sources. So, everyone needs to take this email security warning seriously.
Furthermore, it can also lead to legitimate emails being wrongly flagged as spam, disrupting vital communication channels.
The advisory specifically identifies key vulnerabilities (WK-1, WK-4, WK-5), including unprotected subdomains and inactive DMARC enforcement, which leave digital systems dangerously exposed.
Who is Behind These Attacks?
The advisory warns that these cyberattacks are orchestrated by various threat actors, including financially motivated hackers, hacktivists (who use hacking for social or political causes), and even state-sponsored groups.
While some aim for monetary gain, others seek espionage, theft of sensitive data, or spreading misinformation to destabilize operations.
Weak email security serves as a gateway for these actors to compromise critical data and disrupt essential services, posing severe risks to both national and organizational security.
Read More: Pakistan Tops Global Ranking in Defeating Default Risk
Urgent Steps to Enhance Email Security
National CERT has outlined crucial steps organizations must take:
- Enforce Strict Email Authentication: Implement and enforce SPF, DKIM, and DMARC protocols to verify email senders.
- Mandatory Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Make MFA compulsory for all accounts to add an extra layer of security against unauthorized access.
- Regular Security Audits: Conduct frequent checks of email systems and security configurations.
- Employee Training: Educate employees regularly on how to identify and avoid phishing attempts and other cyber threats.
- Secure All Domains: System administrators must ensure all primary domains and subdomains are properly secured to prevent exploitation.
Read More: IHC Orders CDA Dissolution, Declares Its Actions Under SRO Illegal
Role of Email Service Providers and Call to Action
Email service providers are urged to implement advanced security measures, including strong domain authentication and real-time threat monitoring to filter malicious content and block spoofed emails. Collaboration with cybersecurity agencies for timely threat intelligence sharing is also essential.
National CERT stresses that email must be treated as a high-risk communication channel requiring constant vigilance.
All organizations are called upon to adopt proactive security measures and report any incidents via the official portal.
The advisory concludes by stating that failure to act immediately could lead to significant financial losses, reputational damage, and erosion of public trust, emphasizing that a collective effort is vital to safeguard Pakistan’s digital communication infrastructure.
