Experts at a cybersecurity conference in Karachi warned that Pakistan is more than two decades behind the developed world in terms of digital security. They called for the adoption of predictive cybersecurity infused with artificial intelligence (AI) to address this gap.
The conference, titled “Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Cyber Security,” was organized by the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs (PIIA). Speakers at the event emphasized the need to raise awareness of cybersecurity among the general public and to create an environment that encourages innovation in the field.
Ammar Hussain Jaffri, a former senior official of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and former head of the National Response Centre for Cyber Crime (N3RC), said that Pakistan has been focusing on reactive cybersecurity rather than proactive measures. He stressed the importance of adopting predictive cybersecurity powered by AI, which can predict potential attacks with 90% accuracy.
Jaffri shared an example of how AI was used to detect anomalies in the system of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), where people with fake passports were being entered into random family trees.
Rahim Ali, chief technology officer of an international business outsourcing firm, highlighted the risks posed by cyber warfare and the need for Pakistan to be prepared. He explained that cybersecurity is not just about protecting computers, but also critical infrastructure such as power grids and communication networks.
Maliha Masood, an IT professional and expert in risk management, information security management, internal audit, and software quality assurance, emphasized the need for collaboration between good actors and bad actors in cyberspace. She said that good actors often have to abide by a multitude of rules and standards, while bad actors are free to operate without restrictions.
The experts also discussed the potential risks of modern weapons being manipulated through AI. They stressed the importance of developing indigenous weaponry to minimize the risk of such manipulations.
The conference concluded with a call for the government to take a more proactive role in promoting cybersecurity awareness and innovation in Pakistan.
Source: https://www.bolnews.com/sports/2023/11/experts-advocate-predictive-ai-for-cybersecurity-defense/