ISLAMABAD, Feb 25: The government has set up a National Response Centre for Cyber Crimes to combat high-tech offences.

This was stated by the federal interior minister, Faisal Saleh Hayat, while speaking at a seminar “Cyber Security — Challenges and Solutions” organized by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) here on Tuesday.

The minister said the government had sought technical support from the world community to check cyber crimes. The menace of cyber crimes has emerged as a challenge for the whole world and it should be tackled jointly by the international community, he added.

“Cyber criminals can strike our vital information resources, if they are not timely checked.”

The minister said establishment of the response centre at the FIA headquarters was a right step at an appropriate time to protect the national assets. All possible efforts will be made to provide necessary resources to the FIA for strengthening the centre, he added.

About national strategic websites, he said these were well protected and effective steps were being taken to secure these websites.

The interior minister asked the government departments and organizations to get the concerned staff trained in the vital area of cyber security.

“I hope that the private sector dealing with cyber security related issues, international organizations, government and semi- government departments will help the FIA in fighting cyber crimes as this is a gigantic task and requires a lot of resources,” he said.

The revolution of online transactions is unstoppable and the wave of innovation in the areas of e-commerce is a ‘double-edged sword’, he added.

“It can unlock a range of new opportunities, but can also drive unforeseeable consequences by exposing our businesses and people to new and different fraud and security hazards,” the minister said.

The government is fully aware of its new role and responsibilities regarding tackling the cyber crimes with the power of technology, rule of law and principles of justice, he added.

“We have planed to focus on various issues for strengthening institutions, which include improving administrative and management capabilities, criminal investigative functions, developing training programmes and curricula, and capability to respond to new criminal issues,” he said.

On the occasion, the FIA director general, Syed Mohib Asad; project director, Ammar Jaffri; and others highlighted challenges in cyber security.