SECP sets up Security Operations Centre for cyber security, inaugurated by NADRA chairman

ISLAMABAD: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has set up a modern Security Operations Centre to protect its digital systems and to detect cyber threats in time. The centre was inaugurated by NADRA Chairman Lieutenant General Muhammad Munir Afsar. According to a statement issued on Tuesday, 20 October, the centre will continuously monitor the commission’s networks, servers, user devices (endpoints) and private cloud system.

The statement said the aim of the move is to protect key information assets, identify suspicious activity and enable a timely response to any incident. According to the SECP, the centre will work in line with internationally recognised security standards and the best global practices.

SECP Chairman Dr Kabir Ahmed Sidhu, commissioners and other senior officials attended the inauguration ceremony. The NADRA chairman stressed the need to build up cyber security capacity.

The project was financed by Crown Agents Pakistan, which is working as the implementing agency for Britain’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Inara Technologies Pakistan made the project possible, while REWTERZ is providing support under a managed security services provider contract.

The security centres of all capital market institutions will be brought into a common framework. Under it, information on cyber threats will be shared and the response to security incidents will be coordinated. The arrangement is linked to the SECP’s proposed role as the sectoral Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) and sectoral SOC.

In a separate meeting, Dr Kabir Ahmed Sidhu briefed the NADRA chairman on the commission’s IT reforms, infrastructure improvements and use of modern technologies, including Artificial Intelligence. He said the aim of these measures is to improve service delivery and make doing business easier.