Islamabad, In light of the surge in digital adoption by Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) has called upon the government to create a dedicated cybersecurity policy for SMEs. The policy aims to safeguard these businesses from potential cyberattacks, thus preventing considerable economic losses. Faad Waheed, Acting President of ICCI, emphasized this need during a meeting with a delegation of Chinese cybersecurity solution providers, accompanied by Ammar Jafri, the founder of Digital Pakistan and former DG FIA.
Waheed highlighted that numerous SMEs are leveraging online platforms to broaden their market presence and enhance business opportunities. Despite the Pakistani National Cyber Security Policy 2021 advocating for the proliferation of online businesses, it reportedly falls short in offering robust defense mechanisms to shield SMEs from cyber vulnerabilities. Waheed firmly believes that a collective effort involving the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom and relevant stakeholders could produce a comprehensive Cybersecurity Policy specifically catering to SMEs. Further, he pointed out that Chinese IT firms specializing in cybersecurity solutions stand to benefit considerably by entering the relatively untapped Pakistani SME market.
Ammar Jafri discussed Pakistan's progression towards the fifth-generation industrial revolution, underlining the necessity for the nation to bolster its digital infrastructure. This would equip businesses to not only thrive but also contend successfully on an international scale. Jafri described the vision of Digital Pakistan, which revolves around augmenting connectivity, bolstering digital infrastructure, amplifying investments in digital competencies, and fostering innovation and technological entrepreneurship. Jafri recognized that collaboration between ICCI and Digital Pakistan could play a pivotal role in advancing the digital footprint of SMEs.
Representatives from the Chinese delegation revealed their status as premier cybersecurity solution providers with a presence spanning Asia, South Asia, and East Africa. They expressed their ambition to introduce their state-of-the-art cybersecurity tools to Pakistani enterprises, aiming to curtail financial setbacks triggered by cyber infringements.
Concluding the session, Maqsood Tabish, Acting Senior Vice President, and Faizan Shehzad, Acting Vice President of ICCI, acknowledged the pronounced susceptibility of Pakistani SMEs to cyber threats, primarily due to their limited technological defenses. They remained optimistic about Chinese IT corporations making significant investments in Pakistan, thereby offering sustainable cybersecurity solutions to these establishments. ICCI pledged its unwavering support to such initiatives. The press release was provided by the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI).