ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of IT and Telecom has announced that Pakistan is set to launch its first Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy in the next two months with the main objective of boosting cyber security, aiming to be in the top 10-15 positions in the coming months. Global Cybersecurity Index ranking of the top 40 countries today.

While speaking at ‘Cyber ​​Threat Intelligence 2024’ organized by Total Communications in Islamabad on Wednesday, Syed Junaid Imam, Member, IT, Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, said that Pakistan is actively working on developing AI policy.

“Probably in a few months, you will see Pakistan’s first AI policy. There is a special focus on AI for cybersecurity. There is a realization that AI is important to securing cyberspace.”

He said that Pakistan has moved up to the Tier-1 (Role Modeling) ranking and positioned itself among the top 40 countries in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) in 2024 from 79th in the past. “It’s just a flag that we’re taking steps and measures in the right direction. But we still have a long way to go.”

He said that the government is actively working to strengthen digital infrastructure with the main objective of supporting Pakistan’s digital economy.

“We cannot take Pakistan on the path of digital economy if we do not ensure cyber security,” Imam said. “It is realized that the digital economy is the future of Pakistan. If we want Pakistan to follow the path of economic growth and prosperity, we must ensure the digital transformation of the country.”

Digital infrastructure is developing rapidly. The national CERT (Computer/Cyber ​​​​Emergency Response Team) was established. “Now we are in the process of notifying the sectoral CERTs. In a month you will see sectoral CERTs like in telecom, banking, education and there will be provincial government CERTs too,” said the member IT imam.

All CERTs would share intelligence threats to better protect Pakistan and better progress in all directions at the national level.

He said coordination and collaboration among stakeholders including industry, private sector, academia and government remain key to achieving cyber security, digital economy and digital Pakistan.

Asad Effendi, founder and CEO, Secure Networks, said AI can help detect cyber threats in real time and respond then and there and help protect valuable data and information, he said.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2024