Pakistan’s cybersecurity landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation, marked by a sharp surge in cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure, financial institutions, and government entities, according to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
Rising Threat Trends
From July 2023 to June 2024, Pakistan witnessed a significant increase in cyber threats, particularly malware, phishing, Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks, ransomware, and insider threats. This trend reflects a broader global escalation in cyberattacks, driven by several interconnected factors.
Locally, the rise in cyber threats can be attributed to:
- Increased Digital Adoption: Accelerated digital transformation, particularly in government services, banking, and healthcare, has expanded the attack surface for cybercriminals.
- Skill Shortages: The world continues to face a shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals, which hampers the ability to detect and mitigate threats efficiently.
- Resource Constraints: Limited investments in advanced security infrastructure leave critical sectors vulnerable to emerging threats.
- Public-Private Gaps: Inadequate collaboration between public institutions and private enterprises restricts information-sharing and coordinated defense mechanisms.
Globally, the surge in cyberattacks is driven by:
- Rapid Technological Advancements: The increased use of AI-powered tools and automation has enabled cybercriminals to launch sophisticated, large-scale attacks.
- Geopolitical Tensions: Rising geopolitical conflicts have intensified cyber activities by Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) targeting critical infrastructure worldwide.
- Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS): The commercialization of ransomware has allowed less-skilled attackers to purchase tools and carry out extortion campaigns.
- Expanding IoT and Cloud Dependencies: The reliance on interconnected devices and cloud systems creates vulnerabilities that attackers exploit.
Key Threat Actors and Targets
APT groups remain the most advanced cyber threat actors, utilizing sophisticated techniques to infiltrate and compromise high-value targets. In 2023, Pakistan faced attacks from prominent APT groups including Gamaredon, DoNot, Bitter, Kimsuky, Lazarus, and SideWinder. These actors targeted internet backbone infrastructures, healthcare systems, and government-affiliated organizations, often influenced by geopolitical motivations.
Globally, the manufacturing sector continued to be the most targeted industry in extortion campaigns, followed closely by healthcare, technology, and retail. Meanwhile, sectors such as education, energy, and utilities remain particularly vulnerable due to lagging cybersecurity measures. Notably, telecommunications emerged as the 5th most targeted sector for phishing attacks, which surged by a staggering 173% globally in FY 2023-24.
Pakistan’s Advancing Cybersecurity Efforts
Despite these challenges, Pakistan has made significant strides in strengthening its cybersecurity posture. The country recently advanced to Tier-1 (Role Modeling) status in the 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), securing a place among the top 40 countries—a remarkable jump from its previous 79th position.
This progress reflects ongoing efforts in capacity-building, awareness initiatives, and infrastructure development. However, PTA emphasizes that persistent challenges, such as limited resources, the need for skilled professionals, and stronger public-private collaboration, must be addressed to build a resilient cybersecurity ecosystem.
Future Outlook
As cyber threats become increasingly global and sophisticated, PTA underscores the critical need for international cooperation to bolster defenses and share intelligence. Pakistan’s proactive approach to establishing strategic partnerships and enhancing cyber resilience is vital to mitigating risks that threaten its digital ecosystem.
The rapid evolution of cyber threats serves as a reminder that comprehensive, multi-stakeholder strategies are essential to protect national assets and ensure a secure digital future.
