New Delhi, Jan 25 (NationPress) A recent session of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior has spotlighted alarming issues regarding the inadequate state of cyber security in Pakistan. This is especially evident in critical government bodies like NADRA and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

Lawmakers were informed that repeated cyber breaches in these institutions have resulted in the exposure of sensitive personal information of citizens, underscoring significant failures in data protection, as reported by Business Recorder.

Senator Afnanullah Khan expressed grave concerns, warning that the persistent data theft from official databases could indicate possible insider involvement or negligence.

He emphasized that this issue reflects not merely isolated incidents but systemic weaknesses within Pakistan’s broader cyber security framework.

According to him, aggregated data from NADRA, the FBR, and even banks is publicly accessible on the dark web, illustrating the severity and breadth of the situation.

The threat extends beyond governmental sectors. Private sector organizations, comprising banks, telecom firms, and digital platforms, also find themselves susceptible to hacking and data breaches.

Many of these entities continue to depend on outdated security measures and lack robust mechanisms for prompt responses when breaches occur.

In the meantime, cybercriminals are employing increasingly sophisticated techniques, such as automated attacks, social engineering, and data aggregation from various sources to profit from stolen information on a grand scale.

Despite these dangers, cyber security remains a low priority in governance and business strategies across the nation.

Experts argue that there is a significant absence of long-term investments, stringent enforcement, and accountability, leaving both state agencies and private enterprises vulnerable in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

This comes at a time when the government is actively endorsing digitalization. The Digital Nation Pakistan Act, passed last year, aims to cultivate a robust digital economy and governance framework by enhancing digital services and offering digital identities to citizens.

However, critics caution that this rapid shift towards digitalization has not been accompanied by sufficient safety protocols.

Increasing digital systems without adequate safeguards generates large central data pools, amplifies attack vectors, and heightens the repercussions of data breaches.

Observers emphasize that any advancement towards digital platforms must be matched with solid and continuously updated cyber security measures.

It is particularly alarming that Pakistan currently lacks a comprehensive data protection law to secure personal and financial data.

Additionally, there is no legal obligation compelling organizations to invest in cyber security infrastructure or prepare for threats like hacking, identity theft, and online fraud. In fact, recent government actions have exacerbated the situation.

Measures such as throttling internet speeds and attempts to restrict VPN usage have drawn criticism for indicating a poor grasp of digital security.

Slower internet can hinder critical security updates, while restricting VPNs undermines online privacy and exposes sensitive information.

This, experts warn, renders both public and private systems more susceptible to cyberattacks.