‘Data sovereignty a critical aspect of national security’

Islamabad:Zarrar Hasham Khan, Secretary, IT & Telecommunication, Government of Pakistan, has said that due to transformative impact of industrial revolutions on global power dynamics, data sovereignty emerged as a critical aspect of national security.

Mr Zarrar was addressing as keynote speaker a seminar on “Navigating the cyber frontier: governance and security in a global digital common” organised here by Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI).

Mr Zarrar emphasised the evolving nature of threats in an increasingly globalised world necessitating robust digital governance frameworks. He further stressed the need for economic protection, advocating a shift from conventional strategic alliances to a comprehensive framework centered on data security. He highlighted that safeguarding national digital assets is imperative for long-term stability and resilience. He cautioned against the vulnerabilities posed by large-scale internet disruptions and emphasised the importance of proactive measures to enhance cybersecurity, ensuring national resilience in an era where digital connectivity is integral to governance, economic security and strategic stability.

Marshal Zahid Mahmood (r), Director, Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies, outlined the shift from traditional to non-traditional security threats, emphasising cybersecurity as a critical component of modern national security. He highlighted the role of cyber sovereignty, referencing China’s “Great Firewall” and Iran’s “Halal Internet” as examples of measures regarding digital infrastructure. He explained that cyber threats are driven by nation-states, cybercriminals, terrorist groups and insider threats, each with distinct motivations including financial gain, ideological warfare and political dissatisfaction. He emphasised the need for robust cybersecurity policies, digital sovereignty and enhanced cyber resilience to mitigate these evolving threats and safeguard national interests.

Dr Mehreen Afzal, Director Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC), National Cyber Emergency Response Team (NCERT), underscored the escalating cyber challenges confronting the nation. She highlighted the surge in cyberattacks, including hacking, identity theft and financial fraud which pose significant threats to national security and economic stability. She emphasised the necessity for robust cybersecurity policies and regulations, comprehensive awareness programmes and the adoption of advanced technologies to fortify Pakistan's digital infrastructure.

Lawyer and Policy Expert Dr Saadia Zahoor emphasised that cyberspace, as a global domain, challenges traditional notions of state sovereignty, with cyber threats transcending borders and impacting national security, critical infrastructure and economic stability. This borderless nature renders conventional security paradigms less effective, as cyber threats can originate from diverse actors with motivations ranging from financial gain to ideological agendas.

Javaid Iqbal from Special Technology Zones Authority stressed that AI became a double-edged sword, amplifying cyber threats through sophisticated phishing attacks, AI-driven disinformation campaigns and advanced hacking techniques.