Tech

PTA unveils five-year plan to boost cyber security, digital infrastructure

Published

5 months ago

Farwa

NTCSS aims to improve the digital resilience of the telecom sector.
Roadmap stresses multi-stakeholder route, improved collaboration.
Cyber resilience, capacity building key pillars of the five-year plan.

With the aim to boost the country’s cyber security capacity and increase digital resilience, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Tuesday issued its five-year Cyber Security Strategy 2023-2028 to ensure increased protection of the telecom sector against cyber threats.

The strategy aims to mitigate the potential impact of cyberattacks that pose a threat to Pakistan’s national security, economy and public services by improving cyber security awareness and education, investing in cyber security research and development, and collaborating with a range of partners, both in the public and private sectors.

The National Telecom Cyber Security Strategy (NTCSS) strives towards increasing the resilience of existing telecom infrastructure against cyberattacks.

This strategy is a significant step in the implementation of the National Cyber Security Policy – 2021, and marks a monumental stride towards bolstering #digital security in the country’s rapidly evolving #telecom sector. pic.twitter.com/uuNEtIvKIO
— PTA (@PTAofficialpk) December 12, 2023

Based on six foundational pillars, each targeting a specific aspect of cyber security, such as legal framework, cyber resilience, proactive monitoring and incident response, capacity building, cooperation and collaboration, and public awareness, PTA’s five-year plan reflects a holistic approach towards achieving a secure digital infrastructure in the country.

Stressing a multi-stakeholder approach, the roadmap aims to foster active collaboration between public and private sectors, regulatory bodies, telecom operators, private security firms, academia, and civil society with an inclusive strategy aiming to create a united and comprehensive front against cyber threats.

Apart from strengthening cybersecurity, the PTA also aims to address capacity-building issues by creating a technically skilled workforce and managing the existing “brain drain” that the country is witnessing due to the increased global demand for cybersecurity professionals.

The regulatory body aims to collaborate with key stakeholders such as industry experts, academia, and government organizations, with efforts focusing on building domestic talent pipelines through professional training.

The PTA has also directed all its licensees to set up a dedicated CISO office with the necessary manpower and appointment of a C-level security officer (CISO) to ensure due importance to the cyber security in their organization and to improve recruitment/retention of talented cyber security resources.

With regard to bringing cyber awareness to the masses, the policy provisions the utilisation of digital mediums and services of telecom operators to educate the people regarding cyber incidents, their targets, processes and mitigations to mobile phone users.

The body also aims to work with telecom operators and educational institutions and plans to introduce relevant material into the national curriculum to bring awareness to the masses on the issue of cybersecurity.

Latest News

The green colour of WhatsApp ‘angers’ some users.

Published

11 hours ago

Farwa

After changing its display colour from blue to green, WhatsApp, which was before well-known for its blue motif, caused its users to hold divergent views.

New upgrades to the Meta app always spark a lot of discussion, regardless of how big or small the changes are.

Still, Meta-owned WhatsApp hopes that these modifications would “make it more accessible as well as easier to use” and offer a “modern, new experience” with relation to the updated display color.

A statement from the firm claimed that they had altered WhatsApp’s “looks and feels, including spacing, colors, icons, and more.”

Both iOS and Android users can now view the new WhatsApp update; the green tint on the latter has changed from the previous version.

However, iPhone users will notice that every display element, including the chat-list window and status bar, has changed with the recent design update. WhatsApp used to have a blue color scheme on iPhones.

Furthermore, the formerly blue links shared within the app are now displayed in green.

In addition, WhatsApp has made other improvements to improve its user experience outside of the color shift.

Latest News

Punjab will provide fifty thousand solar kits.

Published

1 month ago

Farwa

On Tuesday,Tuesday, while presiding over a review meeting on solar household solutions, the CM gave the order to begin the installation of one kilowatt solar systems right away. She also gave the order to introduce the newest solar systems.

Phase-I solar systems would be balloted for by 50,000 protected users who use 100 units each month, at a cost of Rs 12.6 billion.

Home-based solar systems will eventually be made available to other Punjabi consumers. A solar system will consist of a battery, inverter, sophisticated solar plate, and more related accessories.

Attending the meeting were Provincial Information Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari, MPA Sania Ashiq, Former Senator Pervaiz Rashid, Chief Secretary, Chairman Planning and Development, Secretaries of Energy, Finance, and Punjab Power Development Board (PPDB) Managing Director, in addition to other pertinent officers.

During his inaugural speech as Punjab’s chief minister, Maryam Nawaz outlined her five-year plan and promised to develop a strategy for customers who use fewer than 300 units of power.

According to Maryam Nawaz, the PML-N’s main goals for her term will be to provide jobs, healthcare, and education.

She said, “I am working on a plan to provide solar panels to consumers using up to 300 units of electricity or less in installments.”

Pakistan

There will be free WiFi in public parks.

Published

1 month ago

Farwa

The discussion on the province’s capital city’s beautification was chaired by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.

CM Gandapur gave the pertinent authorities instructions at the meeting to complete the arrangements and submit the free WiFi service plan for the province government’s approval.

In the following phase, he said, the service will be extended to more cities. In addition, the chief minister gave the Peshawar Development Authority instructions to create a beatification plan for the city.

The meeting voted to launch a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service on Nasir Bagh Road in the province capital with the goal of facilitating the easy mobility of the population.

CM Gandapur pushed for the installation of underpasses rather than overhead bridges and ordered the city’s street lights to be converted to solar power.

The chief minister gave the order to begin work on the road around the BRT Corridor at University Road as well as the building of the remaining section of Warsak-Nasir Bagh Road right away.

In order to promote KP’s culture, he also oversaw the installation of fake plants on all road walks and painted headbridges and walls with designs.

The chief minister of KP gave the order to approach business organizations for assistance in this respect.