National CERT Audits 300 Government Sites After Cyberattack Attempts

Pakistan’s National CERT has launched a cybersecurity audit of 300 government websites following recent hacking attempts targeting official digital platforms.

Pakistan has intensified cybersecurity checks across government digital infrastructure after recent hacking attempts targeted several official and private online platforms.

The National CERT – Pakistan has launched a nationwide security audit aimed at identifying vulnerabilities in government web systems and reducing the risk of cyberattacks or data breaches.

According to officials, around 300 government websites were selected for the assessment, including portals of ministries, attached departments and other public sector institutions. Security scanning has already been completed for approximately 280 websites, while the remaining 20 are still undergoing evaluation, bringing the audit’s completion rate to about 93 percent.

Authorities said the findings have been shared with the relevant ministries for corrective action. The review identified several weaknesses across servers, web applications and database systems, including critical, high, medium and low level vulnerabilities.

Government institutions have been directed to strengthen cybersecurity controls, update outdated software and deploy web application firewalls to prevent unauthorized access. Departments have also been advised to improve monitoring systems, tighten access controls and secure sensitive databases.

Officials added that the audit may also reveal outdated systems, weak passwords and improperly secured infrastructure. Some websites could be temporarily taken offline or upgraded after the review to ensure stronger protection against future cyber threats.