Pakistan and China collaborate on CPEC CERT initiative to strengthen cybersecurity.
“With the surge in digital traffic along the CPEC corridor, we are collaborating with China to establish a Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) to secure the increasing data flow,” said Ammar Jaffri, Director General of the Pakistan Center of Information Technology, in an interview.
Jaffri explained that the CERT would function as a “single window” solution for addressing cyber incidents occurring along the CPEC corridor.
He further noted that as China and Pakistan collaborate to create technology zones, ensuring the security of growing communications is crucial. He emphasized that Chinese technologies in AI, big data, and quantum computing could significantly enhance Pakistan’s IT sector.
According to the World Internet Development Report 2024, released at the recent World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, China, Pakistan ranks 43rd out of 52 countries on the Internet Development Index. This index evaluates factors like information infrastructure, digital innovation, and cybersecurity. Pakistan’s individual rankings for these aspects are 50th for infrastructure, 38th for digital technology and innovation, 43rd for the digital economy, 49th for digital governance, 44th for cybersecurity, and 39th for international governance in cyberspace.
Jaffri highlighted the growing importance of AI in bilateral IT collaborations, emphasizing the challenges AI tools could pose.
He mentioned that the CPEC-CERT would integrate open-source tools to keep pace with AI advancements and stressed that the transition from current computing methods to quantum computing would require a highly skilled workforce to handle the challenges effectively.
Jaffri acknowledged that language barriers in IT training present a challenge. However, he expressed optimism that increasing Chinese language and cultural training for Pakistanis, especially for the over 26,000 Pakistani students studying in China, alongside enhanced vocational education cooperation, would help bridge this gap.
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