Day: October 6, 2021

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Singapore to Leverage the Global Cyber Alliance’s IoT Threat Analytics Platform

GCA’s Automated IoT Defence Ecosystem provides early warnings on IoT cyberattacks

SINGAPORE and NEW YORK, Oct. 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) has announced that it will partner with the Global Cyber Alliance (GCA) to leverage the capabilities of GCA’s Automated IoT Defence Ecosystem (AIDE) platform to monitor and address IoT threats and safeguard the cybersecurity of the IoT space. The project will be the first large-scale application of the AIDE platform.

The global number of IoT devices is expected to rise to more than 50 billion by 2030. This presents a huge attack surface for malicious actors, which may lead to consequences like the theft of personal data and the disruption of services using IoT devices as botnet nodes to conduct distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks. There is a need to proactively watch for global IoT threats and attack data, so that nations can be better prepared before the next wave of botnet attacks hit their shores.

The IoT threat analytics platform can provide CSA visibility on the types of IoT-related cyber threats that may affect the country’s cyberspace. The insights from the platform allow partners to put in place policies and technical measures to safeguard against threat vectors through the conduit of IoT devices. The result is a better prepared and safer IoT cyberspace.

“The use of IoT devices is growing exponentially. CSA has introduced several initiatives to improve IoT security, including the world’s first multi-level labelling scheme for consumer IoT devices— the Cybersecurity Labelling Scheme. This latest initiative —our partnership with GCA on AIDE— will help us be better prepared against potential IoT attacks. Cybersecurity is a team sport where everyone has a part to play. CSA will continue to work with stakeholders to look for ways in building a more resilient and secure IoT space,” said Mr. David Koh, Commissioner of Cybersecurity and Chief Executive of CSA.

GCA’s AIDE ecosystem is a central component of the project. This large repository of IoT threat intelligence relies on a globally distributed honeyfarm and on data feeds from partners.

According to Mr. Philip Reitinger, President and CEO of GCA, “This is a unique opportunity to increase GCA’s international collaboration and expand our network of partners, from cybersecurity agencies and large internet players to academia and research institutions. This project —and CSA’s support as a whole— is a crucial milestone in our roadmap for the AIDE ecosystem and in our long-term vision on IoT cybersecurity. The fact that this effort is happening in Singapore, a global flagship for technology, will pave the way to expand the initial scope of the project to other international smart cities.”

To learn more about AIDE visit: https://www.globalcyberalliance.org/aide/.

About the Global Cyber Alliance
The Global Cyber Alliance (GCA) is an international, cross-sector effort dedicated to reducing cyber risk and improving our connected world. We achieve our mission by uniting global communities, implementing concrete solutions, and measuring the effect. GCA, a 501(c)(3) in the US and a non-profit in the UK and Belgium, was founded in September 2015 by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, the City of London Police, and the Center for Internet Security. Learn more at www.globalcyberalliance.org.

Contact at GCA:
Alejandro Fernández-Cernuda Díaz
Director of Engagement, Internet Integrity Program
afcernuda@globalcyberalliance.org

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Govt Launches STEM Program for Matric and Inter Students

President Arif Alvi has launched the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Program for matriculation and intermediate students.

The STEM Program has been developed by the Ministry of Science and Technology and its development started last year on the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

According to details, the STEM Program has been introduced initially in 50 public schools and colleges in which students of classes 9 to 12 will be enrolled based on their talent and ability. The initiative will be expanded to other public schools and colleges in the rest of the country in the next phase.

There are three components of the STEM Program; laboratories, teachers’ training, and STEM modules.

Under the first component, special laboratories would be built to facilitate the students enrolled in the STEM Program. Teachers would be given training to effectively impart education to the students enrolled in the program under the second component. In the third component, universities will choose schools and colleges purely on a merit basis to improve the quality of education of STEM subjects.

Addressing the launch event, President Arif Alvi said that STEM subjects have acquired a “special importance” in the world, adding that the launch of the STEM Program has kicked off a new era of progress and it will enable Pakistani students to compete globally.

Ministry of Science and Technology, Shibli Faraz, termed the initiative as a “game-changer” for the education sector of the country, adding that Pakistan will not progress until public schools and colleges are modernized on international standards.

Source: Pro Pakistani

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IBA Reinstates the Student Who Was Expelled for Exposing a Harassment Case

The Institute of Business Administration Karachi has reinstated, Mohammad Gibrail, a student of the BS Economics program on Tuesday who was expelled for exposing an alleged harassment case.

“The credit goes to students who were firm and stood against the decision,” said Gibrail’s lawyer and social activist Jibran Nasir, adding that “Gibrail is an inspiration to many now”.

According to the IBA Executive Director, Dr. Syed Akbar Zaidi, reforms will be introduced to make the institution safer.

Dr. Syed was hearing an appeal against the disciplinary committee’s decision during which he said that the student councils will be restored to give students representation in different committees and ensure transparency in these cases.

The admission of Mohammad Gibrail has been restored unconditionally.

“We need to ensure transparent discussions on such issues instead of universities trying to brush off incidents,” said Jibran Nasir.

Besides, Jibran Nasir highlighted the importance of student bodies in the university and said that in order to empower youth, “we need a free political environment on campuses with vibrant and robust student unions”.

Source: Pro Pakistani

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Four Balochistan Players Test Positive for COVID-19

Four Balochistan players participating in the National T20 Cup have tested positive for COVID-19 and they have been placed in a 10-day quarantine. All the other players participating in the tournament were asymptomatic and tested negative, and will continue to participate in the tournament.

As a result, the second match on 6 October between Northern and Balochistan has been swapped with the Northern and Southern Punjab match. This means that the Northern vs. Balochistan match will now be played on 9 October under floodlights.

Balochistan-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa match on 7 October will be played as scheduled. Balochistan will beef up its squad with players from their Cricket Association Championship three-day tournament side. The player transfer will be from bubble-to-bubble but the replacement players will undergo CT-PCR testing as per the PCB’s COVID-19 protocols.

Pakistan players and support staff for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 will participate in the National T20 on 6 and 7 October. On 8 October, they will shift to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup bubble being set up by the PCB as per the ICC regulations.

The PCB continues to monitor the situation and is retesting all participants and their families. It has also been decided the frequency of testing will be increased for the remainder of the tournament.

Source: Pro Pakistani

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Babar Azam Remembers ‘One of the Most Crucial Figures’ of His Cricketing Journey

Pakistan’s all-format captain Babar Azam paid tribute to ‘Mama jee’ – one of the most critical figures of his cricketing journey – on World Teachers Day.

Taking to Twitter on Tuesday, the staller batsman said his teacher’s principle of ‘no compromise on punctuality’ played a crucial role in making him what he is today.

“Mama jee, one of the most crucial figures of my cricketing journey. His no-compromise on punctuality actually made me a better cricketer and taught me things which will accompany me all my life,” Babar said.

The right-handed batsman paid tribute to his teacher and advised his fans to respect their teachers as well.

“Respect your teachers, as they define your future,” he tweeted.

Babar has been in sublime batting form of late, especially in white-ball cricket. During the ongoing National T20 Cup, he became the only Pakistani batsman to score six T20 centuries. He achieved this milestone in a match against Northern on 30 September.

Besides, the World No.2 T20 batsman has also become the youngest and fastest batsman to reach 7,000 T20 runs. Babar achieved this landmark in just 187 T20 innings, while West Indian great, Chris Gayle, took 192 innings to reach the milestone.

Source: Pro Pakistani

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All stakeholders to be taken on board for census: PM

Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that all stakeholders should be taken into confidence regarding census.

Talking to a delegation of MQM in Islamabad on Wednesday, he said institutions are independent in the present government.

He said that electronic voting machines will bring transparency in the elections. He emphasized the need for raising awareness about the positive impact of the EVMs on the electoral process.

The MQM delegation said the government and allied parties are playing an effective role for development of Sindh especially Karachi.

The delegation commended Prime Minister Imran Khan for federal government’s projects of public transport and infrastructure in Karachi.

Source: Radio Pakistan

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Govt stands with Kashmiris in their struggle for self-determination: Qureshi

The federal government stands with the Kashmiris in their struggle for self-determination and will continue its political, diplomatic and moral support in this regard.

This was stated by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi talking to Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi at Foreign Office in Islamabad on Wednesday.

He said that Pakistan will also continue to highlight Indian oppression and barbarism in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir at every forum.

He said Pakistan has exposed the dirty face of Indian fascist government by presenting dossier based on irrefutable evidences of Indian oppression and war crimes in the valley.

The AJK Prime Minister apprised the Foreign Minister about future course of action for the development of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and said that the government will address the problems of people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir on priority basis.

Source: Radio Pakistan

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CPEC related projects transparent, carry no hidden debt: Asad

Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar has categorically stated that the CPEC related projects are transparent and carry no hidden debt.

Reacting to a recent report of an American think tank on CPEC at a news conference in Islamabad on Wednesday, he said details about the corridor project have been shared on multiple occasions including at the level of parliament. There is also a parliamentary oversight on this mega project.

The Minister clarified that the Chinese debt is only twenty six percent of the total external liabilities of Pakistan. He said Pakistan has a debt servicing challenge which we are meeting but clarified that they do not have any problem with the Chinese debt.

Asad Umar said the terms of debt financing for power projects executed under the CPEC is actually more favorable than the non-CPEC financing which had come in from other multilateral agencies.

He said the loans which were taken by the government were also at the concessional rate of two percent. He said China has also provided grants to execute different CPEC related projects. A vocational training institute has been established in Gwadar with the Chinese grant.

Asad Umar said fake news are spread against the corridor project in order to spread despondency amongst the people and give a wrong impression to the world about Pakistan.

The Minister for Planning said most of the projects under the CPEC have been completed in the stipulated period. He said both Pakistan and China welcome investment from other countries in this project. He said Pakistan will support transforming this bilateral corridor into a regional corridor project.

Source: Radio Pakistan