Cyber Insecurity in Pakistan: Unregulated Spaces and Policy Vacuum

Abstract

This study looks at the changing issues of cybersecurity in Pakistan with emerging threats, the level of institutional preparedness, and policies in mind. Using both primary and secondary datasets, the study highlights critical concerns regarding gaps and cyber defense enforcement, regulatory enforcement, and inter-agency collaboration in Pakistan’s digital framework. A thematic and statistical analysis reveals underlying patterns of cybercrime, cyber threats at the level of the state, and the socio-economic consequences of insufficient cybersecurity infrastructure. The study assesses the policies for cybersecurity in Pakistan compared to the international benchmarks of best practices, identifying the need for legislative cyber defense gaps, revised policy frameworks with enforcement needs, advanced capacity building, and upgraded technologies. The most important findings reveal the gaps that Pakistan has commenced steps towards building further resilience in cybersecurity. Pakistan’s accelerated rate of digital adoption requires more step and proactive integrated-adaption frameworks. The study noted governance frameworks for national cybersecurity strategy and policy collaboration gaps need to be addressed with comprehensive: governance strengthening, stakeholder collaboration, and advanced digital ecosystems aligned with emerging cyber threats.

This study looks at the changing issues of cybersecurity in Pakistan with emerging threats, the level of institutional preparedness, and policies in mind. Using both primary and secondary datasets, the study highlights critical concerns regarding gaps and cyber defense enforcement, regulatory enforcement, and inter-agency collaboration in Pakistan’s digital framework. A thematic and statistical analysis reveals underlying patterns of cybercrime, cyber threats at the level of the state, and the socio-economic consequences of insufficient cybersecurity infrastructure. The study assesses the policies for cybersecurity in Pakistan compared to the international benchmarks of best practices, identifying the need for legislative cyber defense gaps, revised policy frameworks with enforcement needs, advanced capacity building, and upgraded technologies. The most important findings reveal the gaps that Pakistan has commenced steps towards building further resilience in cybersecurity. Pakistan’s accelerated rate of digital adoption requires more step and proactive integrated-adaption frameworks. The study noted governance frameworks for national cybersecurity strategy and policy collaboration gaps need to be addressed with comprehensive: governance strengthening, stakeholder collaboration, and advanced digital ecosystems aligned with emerging cyber threats.