[ISN] Working group for network security set up

From: InfoSec News (isnat_private)
Date: Wed Apr 09 2003 - 03:26:43 PDT

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    http://jang.com.pk/thenews/apr2003-daily/09-04-2003/business/b1.htm
    
    By Imran Ayub
    April 09, 2003
    
    KARACHI: The ministry of information technology has set up a Working
    Group for Network Security composed of ministry officials,
    intelligence agencies sleuth and private sector representatives to
    outline measures for cyber safety in the country.
    
    "The Working Group would comprise around 25 persons belonging to
    ministry of IT, intelligence agencies, representatives from internet
    service providers (ISPs) and the country's renowned software houses,"  
    said an official at the ministry who wished not to be named.
    
    "The Group's objective is as clear as its name. It's all about
    outlining measures and steps, which can ensure cyber safety in the
    country", he added.
    
    "You can call it a professionals' forum with objectives to oversee and
    drive the development of network security, threat assessment,
    defensive and offensive mechanisms, viruses and Trojans."
    
    The official dismissed any similarities between the Working Group and
    Cyber Wing, which the ministry set up last month to counter virus
    attacks on the government websites.
    
    He said the latter would not be restricted to counter virus attacks
    only, but it would also contemplate regulating all the cyber-related
    activities in the country including cyber crimes.
    
    The ministry formed Cyber Wing after hackers attacked various
    government websites through virus-contaminated emails and succeeded in
    suspending operation of Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) website for a few
    hours.
    
    The official said though the Working Group was just a few days old, it
    had been on the cards for over a year. "It is delayed due to the
    ministry's preoccupation with other projects. But it is not new.
    
    "The Group will bring together various public and private sector
    entities to create synergies and establish direct contact among the
    specialists," the official informed.
    
    Initially, the Group would discuss growing threat of insecure
    networks, intrusions, web page defacements and cyber terrorism. It
    will then discuss formulation of policies and guidelines and encourage
    ideas related to strong authentication mechanism such as smart cards,
    PKI, biometrics, Kerberos, tokens, digital certificates.
    
    
    
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