The IT ministry is not approved by the cabinet
The Digital Information Infrastructure Initiative’s implementation mechanism, which aims to safeguard cyberspace and lessen the dangers connected with cyberattacks, has not received clearance from the federal cabinet.
Information and communication technology (ICT) research and development (R&D) funds of Rs5 billion have been allocated for the project as bridge finance.
This is a one-time exception for using funding from the R&D for ICT.
A plan to approve the Digital Information Infrastructure Initiative and its implementation mechanism was recently tabled by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication.
A cabinet member countered that the IT ministry shouldn’t bring procurement-related matters before the cabinet. As a result, the cabinet accepted the plan but refrained from endorsing the method of implementation.
The cabinet was informed that a dependable ICT infrastructure was necessary since the digital economy would be the primary driver of economic growth in the upcoming years.
Every economy in the world was observed to be working to safeguard its online environment and lessen the danger of cyberattacks. The cabinet was informed that the current ICT infrastructure gave dishonest people ways to obtain data through unauthorized means, misuse it, and act unethically.
Thus, there was an urgent need to protect cyberspace and set up a reliable system to thwart cyberattacks on vital information infrastructure.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is mandated by Clause 11 of the Telecommunication Policy 2015 to implement a solution within a framework that ensures long-term sustainability through regular updates and upgrades in order to keep up with the rapidly evolving technological trends and capacity requirements.
The IT ministry has had multiple rounds of meetings with all relevant partners, including the Ministry of Finance, in response to the prime minister’s directions outlining the initiative’s implementation mechanisms.
It was decided that PTA and other implementing organizations would work in tandem with the IT and finance ministries. It was observed that a steering committee comprised of the relevant stakeholders was suggested to supervise the initiative’s advancement.
One cabinet member noted that the IT ministry should handle procurement issues and that the cabinet should not hear them.
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) was informed at the meeting that the financial issue had been separately examined and that the federal cabinet had approved the one-time provision of ICT R&D funds totaling Rs. 5 billion as bridge financing for the program.
The Digital Information Infrastructure Initiative, which is essential for safeguarding cyberspace, has been asked for approval by the federal cabinet by the IT ministry, along with the necessary implementation mechanism.
The cabinet noted that only the initiative itself could be approved; the IT ministry was responsible for overseeing the proposal’s execution mechanism.
The Information Technology and Telecommunication Division filed a summary titled “Approval of the Digital Information Infrastructure Initiative,” which was reviewed by the cabinet, which only authorized the initiative’s concept.
In mid-January, a global cybersecurity and digital privacy organization revealed that 15% of businesses worldwide have suffered cyber incidents as a result of inadequate cybersecurity expenditure.
It is concerning that the majority of cyber incidents have affected vital infrastructure, oil, gas, and energy organizations.
In the last two years, 15% of businesses worldwide experienced cyber incidents as a result of inadequate investment in this crucial sector, according to a Kaspersky survey.
Regarding financial matters, half of the companies stated they lacked the funds for sufficient cybersecurity precautions.
Kaspersky conducted a survey to find out what IT security experts thought about the human factor’s influence on cybersecurity in small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and other businesses across the globe.
Budgetary restrictions caused 13% of cyber incidents in the telecommunications industry, 8% in the transportation and logistics sector, and 8% in the financial services sector.
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