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

Suspension of essential services for Covid19 un-vaccinated people being implemented across the country

The vaccination process against COVID-19 continues across the country and suspension of essential services in different sectors for unvaccinated people is also being implemented with full force.

According to the National Command and Operation Centre, almost eighty eight million people in the country have so far been vaccinated against the pandemic.

The special teams at district level are regularly checking transport, business and education sectors to ensure vaccination.

Meanwhile, National Command and Operation Centre has developed a comprehensive programme in collaboration with the National Database and Registration Authority to trace unvaccinated individuals.

Information technology based solution would help ensure identification and inoculation of the unvaccinated eligible masses.

The district administration’s inspection teams carried out a grand operation in various areas of provincial capital Lahore to ensure implementation of Coronavirus related standards operating procedures as directed by the National Command and Operation Center.

The inspection team sealed around 18 business points, garment and fabric shops, food outlets, juice corners.

The teams of NCOC also issued warnings to 33 others for not following the SOPs.

According to NCOC, all the Additional District Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners in their respective districts are carrying out inspection and operations to contain spread of Coronavirus pandemic.

Meanwhile, Divisional Administration Dera Ghazi Khan has decided to reduce entrance of non-vaccinated employees into their offices.

Commissioner Dera Ghazi Khan visited a Boys City School today and suspended head teacher for violation of Corona SOPs.

The District administration Peshawar along with teams of Health Department vaccinated scores of passengers in various bus terminals of in the city.

Meanwhile, actions against unvaccinated people across the province are also underway.

In Dera Ismail Khan, the teams of District Administration checked one hundred and sixty points of the city and fined more than seventy thousand rupees over violation of Covid SOPs and un-vaccination of people.

In Mardan, twelve people were arrested and two hotels sealed over the violation of SOps.

In Nowshera, three shopkeepers were also arrested in this regard.

The process of vaccination is in full-swing in Balochistan including Quetta to control spread of Coronavirus.

In Gilgit Baltistan, vaccination process to contain Covid-19 has been intensified in all ten districts of the region.

Over three thousand and eight hundred people were vaccinated in a single day today.

In Hunza, district administration sealed twenty hotels and forty shops for violating Coronavirus SOPs.

In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, campaign for vaccination and actions against non-vaccinated people is in full-swing.

Source: Radio Pakistan

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

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

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

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

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

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