Pakistan’s digital infrastructure at risk from cyber-attacks

Islamabad: The National Cyber Emergency Response Team (CERT) on Tuesday issued a critical advisory, warning organizations across Pakistan about an increased risk of cyber-attacks.

The advisory calls on all institutions to take immediate steps to protect their digital systems.

The primary threat identified is a SQL injection attack, a method where hackers exploit vulnerabilities in a database to gain unauthorized access, according to the National CERT.

The advisory emphasized the potential danger to the integrity and privacy of organizational data, with hackers targeting databases to steal sensitive information. It specifically warned that hackers are actively trying to breach various organizations' databases to access confidential data.

CERT has advised all organizations, including government departments and NGOs, to mobilize their information security officers to lead defensive measures. The advisory also urged the implementation of firewalls and other cybersecurity protocols to secure databases against possible breaches.

"This is a serious threat that could compromise the security of sensitive information across various sectors," the advisory stated.

Organizations are advised to remain vigilant and continuously monitor their systems for any suspicious activity. The CERT's warning serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing cyber threats facing Pakistan and underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity measures to protect against potential attacks.