Page 95 - SAMENA Trends - July-September 2024

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Pakistan

Pakistan has secured a leading position in the International Specialist from APNIC Australia with extensive experience in
Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) Global Cybersecurity Index cybersecurity across the Asia-Pacific region, led the sessions.
2024, ranking among the world’s best for cybersecurity measures. Cybersecurity experts from PTA, the National Cyber Emergency
According to the report, countries are assessed and categorized Response Team (NCERT), and various telecom operators
into five tiers based on their cybersecurity capabilities, ranging participated, creating a dynamic exchange of knowledge and
from legal and technical measures to organizational strategies, expertise. Throughout the workshop, participants delved into
capacity development, and international cooperation. theoretical and practical aspects of CERT operations. The sessions
The tier system includes: included hands-on training in forensic analysis management,
Tier 1 – Role-modelling (score 95 – 100) equipping attendees with a comprehensive understanding of how
Tier 2 – Advancing (score of 85–95) to handle and mitigate security incidents. The training concluded
Tier 3 – Establishing (score of 55–85) with a certificate distribution ceremony, where Muhammad
Tier 4 – Evolving (score of 20–55) Naveed, Member Finance PTA, Dr. Muhammad Mukarram Khan,
Tier 5 – Building (score of 0–20) Director General of the Cyber Vigilance Directorate at PTA, and
Achieving a score within the 95-100 range, Pakistan is classified Adli Wahid, Senior Internet Security Specialist at APNIC, awarded
in Tier 1, designated for countries that serve as role models in certificates to all participants. PTA extended special thanks to
implementing effective cybersecurity practices. Alongside APNIC for their invaluable support in organizing this event, with
Pakistan in this tier are nations like Australia, Germany, the both organizations committed to continuing the capacity-building
United States, Bahrain, Italy, and Oman, highlighting Pakistan’s efforts within Pakistan’s Internet and cybersecurity community.
significant strides in enhancing its cybersecurity framework. (August 7, 2024) www.app.com.pk
(September 1`7, 2024) www.meatechwatch.co
PTA National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) and
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has received Global System for Mobile Communication (GSMA) Action Collation
five proposals from international consultants to manage for bridging digital divide, successfully organized a one-day
the upcoming 5G spectrum auction, which is expected to be workshop titled "Bridging the Mobile Gender Gap" today at PTA’s
completed within the current fiscal year. The PTA announced that Headquarters in Islamabad. The workshop featured participation
it had received technical and financial bids from five international from representatives of Ministry of Information Technology &
consultants: Aetha Consulting Limited, Detecon Consulting Telecom, Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training,
FZ-LLC, Frontier Economics Limited, KomKonsult (Private) Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting,
Limited, and the National Economic Research Associates Inc. Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Defense, Universal Services
These bids will be thoroughly evaluated in line with the Public Fund, Ministry of Human Rights and other government and
Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules. PTA Chairman private entities. The workshop aimed to address the digital
Hafeezur Rehman, a retired major general, informed the National gender divide in Pakistan by bringing together stakeholders from
Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and the government, and civil society to improve gender in ICTs. Key
Telecommunications that the 5G spectrum auction is under discussions focused on strategies to enhance women's access
consideration and is likely to take place by March 2025. The to mobile technology and digital services, with an emphasis on
process has been complicated by disagreements within the creating inclusive policies and fostering a supportive ecosystem.
government. While the IT ministry supports releasing additional In her keynote address, Nilofar Bakhtiar, Former Federal Minister
spectrum at lower rates to encourage growth, the finance ministry Women Development Department and Ex- Chair of NCSW,
advocates for strong competition among telecom operators to emphasized the critical need for digital inclusion of women,
maximize the auction’s value. The advisory committee overseeing highlighting that gender equality in the digital realm is essential
the process is headed by the finance minister. All major mobile for economic and social development. During the event, Mr.
operators in Pakistan, including Zong, Jazz, Telenor, and Ufone, Julain Gorman, Head of APAC GSMA highlighted the discussion
have successfully conducted 5G trials and are currently using 274 on leveraging global expertise and collaborative efforts to tailor
MHz of spectrum. However, to commercially launch 5G services, solutions specifically for enhancing women's inclusion and
an additional 300 MHz of spectrum will need to be auctioned. empowerment in Pakistan. Participants engaged in interactive
(September 4, 2024) www.meatechwatch.com sessions, exploring best practices for empowering women
through mobile technology and ensuring their participation in the
PTA, in collaboration with APNIC, organized a series of impactful digital economy. The workshop also highlighted successful case
workshops on “Incident Response and CERT” over three days studies from other countries that have made significant progress
in Lahore and Islamabad. The Lahore workshop was held in in bridging the mobile gender gap. The workshop concluded with
partnership with the Punjab Information Technology Board the distribution of certificates to the participants and shields to
(PITB), said a news release. Adli Wahid, a Senior Internet Security the GSMA and NCWS officials. (August 6, 2024) www.pta.gov.pk

95 JULY-SEPTEMBER 2024