National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency formed to curb cybercrimes

ISLAMABAD: The government in an innovative step has created a comprehensive infrastructure under an effective strategy against cybercrimes, which is being rapidly implemented to make it fully functional.

For this purpose, it has established a separate agency called the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) equipped with all the required equipment and skills. At the same time, the first National Cyber Emergency Response Team (NCERTS) has also been established as part of the same strategy and Sectoral CERTS will be set up under this organisation.

The landmark announcement was made by Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication (ITT) Dr Umar Saif while addressing the prize distribution ceremony of Digital Pakistan Cybersecurity Hackathon-2023 as the chief guest. The event was organised by the National Technology Fund (Ignite), an organisation of the Ministry of IT Telecom.

He said that the protection of Pakistan’s cyberspace under the Peca Act is very important, adding that cybercrime, online buying and selling, cyberbullying, protection of online data, other services of our citizens, identification of threats and effective action against criminals is the government’s core responsibility.

The minister recalled that no specific organisation to act against cybercrime is in existence for the reason a cybercrime wing was created in the FIA to look into these issues.

“Now we have established a separate agency called the NCCIA equipped with all the required equipment and skills. Gradually, the authority to act against cybercrime is being transferred from the FIA Cybercrime wing to this particular organisation, which will be able to take effective action against cybercrime,” he added. He said the country’s cyberspace, data of public and private institutions, business transactions, and online activities of citizens can be secured effectively. He added that the first NCERTS has also been established, while the Sectoral CERTS will be formed under this organisation.

Dr Umar Siaf, who is the country’s topnotch expert in IT, in his own right extended his gratitude to all those who played an instrumental role in making the Digital Pakistan Cybersecurity Hackathon an undeniable success. He also lauded the efforts of Team Ignite for holding training workshops and hackathons since October.

The minister was of the view that in an increasingly digital world, the prevalence of malware and malicious attacks underscores the critical importance of cybersecurity, adding that the evolving nature of cyber threats necessitates constant innovation to outpace malicious actors.

Ignite Chief Executive Officer Asim Shehryar Hussain said, “IT ministry and Ignite are on a relentless pursuit of identifying and nurturing talent capable of thwarting malicious cyber attempts on our national networks.” “Our progress is evident in the establishment of operational readiness for team NCERT and the imminent institutionalisation of a cybersecurity authority.”