IT is not uncommon to receive random calls, messages and emails that request personal information, such as CNIC numbers, bank account and credit card details, usernames and passwords. This sensitive data is often used to swindle money from one’s account by criminals who extract the data through psychological manipulation techniques, such as creating a sense of urgency, instilling fear, invoking curiosity, appealing to human greed, or even impersonating friends or colleagues.

This is a global phenomenon, and cybercrimes are known to have caused damages amounting to $8 trillion in 2023, with estimates suggesting this figure will rise to $10.5 trillion by the end of 2025.

The Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) has recognised Pakistan’s efforts in securing its digital borders by ranking it among the top 64 countries. The enactment of new cyber laws, the introduction of cybersecurity policies, and the implem-entation of technical barriers against cybercriminals are certainly significant steps in combatting cybercrimes. However, raising public awareness could lead to a dramatic change.

The human factor is often regarded as the weakest link, because people get easily exploited by cybercriminals. A mass awareness campaign should be launched to tackle cybersecurity threats on the same scale as is the case with polio eradication. National-level awareness weeks should be observed, using media platforms.

Building a resilient human defence against cyber threats would help foster the growth of Pakistan’s digital economy.

Adeel Yousfani
Karachi

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2025