Pakistan’s National Computer Emergency Response Team (National CERT) has issued a high-level cybersecurity alert, cautioning that critical government systems may face increased hacking attempts in connection with the anniversary of “Marqa-e-Haq.” Authorities believe there is a heightened risk of coordinated cyberattacks targeting key ministries, public sector departments, and essential national infrastructure during this sensitive period.
In response, all government institutions have been directed to take immediate precautionary measures to strengthen their digital defenses. This includes updating all operating systems, applications, and security software to the latest versions, as well as reinforcing firewalls and intrusion detection systems. Departments have also been instructed to carry out comprehensive system audits and vulnerability assessments to identify and address any potential weaknesses or suspicious activities within their networks.
Officials have placed strong emphasis on adopting robust cybersecurity practices, such as enforcing strict password policies, enabling multi-factor authentication across all accounts, and maintaining secure, regularly updated data backups to minimize the impact of any potential breach. These steps are considered essential to ensuring business continuity and safeguarding sensitive information.
Employees across government offices are being urged to remain vigilant against phishing emails, fraudulent links, and social engineering tactics that are often used by cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access. Staff members have been advised to verify the authenticity of communications before responding and to avoid sharing confidential information through unsecured channels.
Furthermore, departments have been instructed to establish clear incident response protocols and ensure that any unusual or suspicious activity is reported immediately to the relevant cybersecurity teams. Authorities stress that timely detection and rapid response will be critical in preventing or mitigating the effects of any cyber threats during this period.
