Government Issues Warning on Security Risks in Digital Documents

ISLAMABAD: In a cybersecurity advisory, the National Telecommunication and Information Technology Security Board (NTISB) discusses ways to protect private and sensitive data stored digitally.

The advice brings attention to the increasing frequency of cases involving unauthorized access that have been targeted at several sectors in Pakistan, including public service, commercial organizations, and government agencies.

The Consequences of Poor Digital Security

According to NTISB, mishandling or exposure of sensitive digital information can lead to serious consequences, including:

• Data breaches compromising confidential information
• Erosion of trust in organizations
• Potential threats to national security

The board stresses the need for strict security measures to safeguard critical digital files from unauthorized access.

Cloud computing, other networked systems, and external storage devices pose a significant threat of unauthorized access to sensitive digital documents held by public and commercial organizations, including schools, businesses, and government agencies, according to NTISB.

Recommended Cybersecurity Measures

In order to lessen the impact of these dangers, NTISB has suggested various ways to strengthen online safety. One important suggestion is to use role-based access control (RBAC) to limit access to sensitive files to authorized workers only.

Additionally, the advice emphasizes the significance of using secure file transfer protocols like SFTP and HTTPS, encrypting sensitive information, and implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for privileged accounts. Organizations should also use digital watermarking to prevent data leaks and track their illegal distribution.

The NTISB advisory also recommends regular monitoring and auditing of access logs to detect unusual activities. It suggests using Data Loss Prevention (DLP) technologies to keep tabs on sensitive file sharing and providing staff with training on proper data management procedures.

In order to further tighten security measures, the warning stresses the significance of limiting access to external storage devices and mandating strong password policies. To find security holes before they are exploited, it is recommended to conduct vulnerability assessments and penetration tests on a regular basis.

NTISB has strongly recommended that all companies dealing with confidential electronic documents implement these cybersecurity precautions without delay. The report cautions that data breaches might have serious effects on both organizations and the country’s security if proper security measures are not put in place.