Pakistan has activated a new layer of cyber defense as digital threats intensify. The country’s National Cyber Emergency Response Team has launched a 24/7 National Cybersecurity Control Room inside L-Block, Pak Secretariat, Islamabad. Officials say the move comes at a time when the risk of targeted cyberattacks on public systems is rising.
The facility will operate as a central coordination hub for cyber monitoring and response. According to an official notification, it will track, analyze, and respond to incidents affecting government websites, public networks, and national digital infrastructure. The goal is simple. Detect threats early and respond before damage spreads.
Authorities issued the directive amid concerns over possible attacks during the current security situation. As a result, all Internet service providers, sectoral CERTs, and provincial CERTs must now set up dedicated monitoring desks. They must ensure round-the-clock surveillance of their networks and critical assets. In addition, they must report any suspicious activity or confirmed breach to nCERT without delay.
The government is also reviving strict coordination protocols used during past national events. Those measures previously helped counter cyber threats from hostile actors. This time, officials want tighter communication and faster escalation.
Key institutions must nominate focal persons and share updated contact details with nCERT by March 4, 2026. These include the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, National Information Technology Board, National Telecommunication Corporation, provincial IT boards, and other relevant bodies. The government wants clear lines of responsibility during any cyber emergency.
Two senior officials will lead national-level coordination. Dr. Muhammad Yousaf, Director CERT, and Dr. Mujahid Shah, Assistant Director Incident Management, will act as focal persons during the monitoring period.
Beyond coordination, the notification lays out National Baseline Security Guidelines to prevent cyber incidents. These rules target phishing attacks, website defacement, credential leaks, data breaches, ransomware attacks, and system misconfigurations.
The advisory recommends stronger email security through SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. It also calls for web application firewalls to protect public-facing systems. Agencies must enforce multi-factor authentication and encrypt data at rest and in transit. Furthermore, they should enable centralized logging through SIEM systems and run regular vulnerability scans.
To reduce ransomware risks, the guidelines stress offline, air-gapped backups. That step ensures data recovery even if primary systems fail.
The document also focuses on business continuity and disaster recovery. Institutions should maintain redundant ISP connections and test failover systems. They must follow secure configuration management practices. Moreover, they should prepare alternative communication channels for emergency escalation.
