National CERT Steps Up After Fresh Hacks on Govt Websites

Islamabad

Pakistan’s National Computer Emergency Response Team (National CERT) has intensified efforts to secure government web infrastructure following recent hacking attempts targeting official websites.

According to official documents, authorities have accelerated a nationwide cybersecurity audit to identify vulnerabilities in government portals. As part of the process, 300 key government websites from various ministries, departments, and public institutions were selected to evaluate the deployment of cybersecurity controls.

So far, security scans of 280 websites have been completed, leaving only 20 websites pending, pushing the audit’s completion rate to 93.3 percent. Security assessment reports for the scanned websites have already been shared with the relevant ministries for corrective action.

The review has identified critical, high, medium, and low-level vulnerabilities across systems, servers, and web applications. Officials have instructed departments to implement immediate corrective measures, including security updates and the effective deployment of web application firewalls, to mitigate hacking risks and prevent potential data leaks.

Sources said the rapid audit aims to strengthen Pakistan’s digital defenses and ensure government platforms remain protected from growing cyber threats.