Federal Government Establishes 10-Member National Cyber Security Council

Islamabad: The federal government has announced the formation of a 10-member National Cyber Security Council to enhance the effectiveness of the country’s cyber security measures. This move comes as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its response to cyber threats and ensure the protection of critical information infrastructure.

• Council Leadership: The Federal Secretary for Information Technology will serve as the Chairman of the Cyber Emergency Response Team (CERT) Council. The Director General of the National Cyber Emergency Response Team (CERT) has been appointed as the Secretary of the Council.
• Establishment Under New Rules: The council has been established under the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) Rules 2023, as outlined in the recent notification by the Ministry of IT and Telecommunications.
• Council Composition: Initially, the CERT Council will consist of 10 members. The council will include representatives from various sectors, including:
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • National Security Division
  • Ministry of Interior
  • National Telecom and Information Technology Security Board (NTISB)
  • Civil society
  • Industry
  • Academia
• Council Responsibilities: The council will oversee all cyber security measures and serve as an advisory body for the implementation and coordination of various CERTs. It will provide recommendations on both national and sectoral cyber security strategies and initiatives.

The primary objective of the National Cyber Security Council is to enhance the nation’s cyber security posture by coordinating between different stakeholders and providing strategic guidance on handling cyber threats. The council will play a crucial role in advising and supporting the development of comprehensive cyber security policies and practices.

For Further Information:

• Ministry of IT and Telecommunications
• National Cyber Emergency Response Team (CERT)
• Computer Emergency Response Team Rules 2023

The establishment of this council marks a significant step in fortifying Pakistan’s cyber security framework, reflecting the government’s commitment to addressing the growing challenges in the digital landscape.