Secure sensitive data: Cabinet Division sounds alarm

ISLAMABAD: The Cabinet Division warning about growing cybersecurity risks tied to wireless networks has asked federal and provincial authorities to secure all sensitive data.

In a detailed advisory, federal ministries, divisions, and provincial governments have been instructed to implement protective measures to safeguard sensitive data from cyber threats.

The advisory warns that unsecured or outdated wireless routers are particularly vulnerable, and hackers can exploit these weaknesses to intercept network traffic, steal confidential data, and redirect internet activity through unsafe channels.

Additionally, poorly secured networks can allow unauthorised access to confidential files, posing a significant risk to information security.

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The advisory has urged users to strengthen their passwords by using a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols to make them harder to guess.

Hiding the network name (SSID) is also suggested, as it reduces visibility to potential attackers. Another important measure is disabling guest networks, which often provide an easy entry point for unauthorised users.

The Cabinet Division has also stressed the importance of keeping routers updated. Regular firmware updates are crucial to fixing security vulnerabilities.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Information Technology has warned internet users in Pakistan that social media services, including WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram may experience disruptions due to “technical issues”. 

Explaining the “technical issues”, the ministry said in a statement issued on Thursday that the submarine cable has undergone a fault.