Authors: Dr. Saba Sahar, and Areesha Anwer
Summary:
The advancements in emerging technologies and increased internet usage have transformed the global landscape into a digital arena, with cyberspace becoming a crucial battleground for nations. Cyber-attacks, encompassing cyber espionage, hacktivism, ransomware, and cyber terrorism, pose a significant threat to critical infrastructure and national security due to their cost-effectiveness and anonymous nature. This qualitative study, focusing on Pakistan’s national security, identifies the specific nature of cyber threats and proposes policy recommendations to bolster cyber security infrastructure. It employs both primary and secondary sources to comprehensively analyze the subject. The study explores Cyber Deterrence Theory, developed during the Cold War to address challenges associated with nuclear weapons, emphasizing the difficulty of attributing cyber-attacks to specific perpetrators. It also discusses cyber espionage as a method for intelligence collection and presents a case study on cyber-attacks against Pakistan, alongside a brief overview of the National Cyber Policy, 2021. The conclusion highlights the evolving nature of conflicts, asserting that future battles will extend beyond traditional battlefields to include cyberspace. A ‘whole of nation approach’ is advocated to safeguard critical infrastructure, highlighting the pivotal role of cyber security measures, resilience-building through policy implementation, and investments in emerging technologies. In this dynamic landscape, securing cyberspace emerges as a key factor in ensuring national security against adversaries leveraging cyber tactics. Therefore, cyber security measures and strengthening resilience in the system through policy implementation and investments in emerging technologies are pivotal factors in ensuring national security.