Cybersecurity Audit of 300 Government Websites Launched After Major Hacking Attempt

Pakistan has started a cybersecurity audit of 300 government websites after a major hacking attempt targeted official and private online platforms. Authorities say the move aims to improve digital protection across state institutions.

The cybersecurity audit of 300 government websites is being carried out by the National CERT. The nationwide review is designed to detect security weaknesses in government web systems and reduce the risk of cyberattacks or data leaks.

Officials confirmed that websites belonging to ministries, departments, and public institutions are included in the review. So far, security scanning has been completed for 280 websites, while another 20 portals are still under examination.

According to authorities, about 93 percent of the cybersecurity audit of 300 government websites has already been completed. Detailed security reports have been sent to the concerned ministries for immediate action.

The assessment found several weaknesses in servers, systems, and web applications. These include critical, high, medium, and low-level vulnerabilities across different platforms.

Government institutions have now been instructed to strengthen their cybersecurity systems. Departments have been told to update software, install web application firewalls, and improve monitoring tools to stop unauthorized access.

Officials also warned that some websites may be using outdated systems, weak passwords, or poorly secured databases. Recommendations have been issued to fix these issues and improve backup systems.

In some cases, authorities may temporarily shut down or upgrade certain websites once the cybersecurity audit of 300 government websites is fully completed. The goal is to ensure stronger protection against future cyber threats.