The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has rolled out a major revamp of its Critical Telecom Data and Infrastructure Security Regulations (CTDISR), launching a new framework called CTDISR-2025.
The updated rulebook, unveiled through PTA’s latest Annual Cybersecurity Report, represents the most significant shake-up of telecom security standards since the regulations were first introduced in 2020. Back then, CTDISR laid down baseline protections for licensees. Now, with digital threats evolving rapidly, the regulator says the new framework is designed to close security gaps and prepare the sector for a much more complex threat landscape.
From Defensive to Proactive Security
Almost every control set under the old 2020 regulations has been reassessed—many consolidated, some refined, and others rewritten entirely. PTA says the changes were shaped by regulatory audits, industry consultations, and lessons from past incidents.
The key shift: moving away from reactive firefighting to a risk-based governance model that emphasizes prevention and resilience.
What’s New in CTDISR-2025?
The revised framework adds a host of new requirements that broaden the scope of telecom cybersecurity compliance. Among the additions:
- Asset and Risk Management protocols
- Stronger Data Privacy safeguards
- Cloud Security controls to tackle growing reliance on hosted services
- Insider Threat Monitoring measures
- Formalized Business Continuity Planning and HR security policies
- Defined roles and responsibilities for cybersecurity staff
Access management also sees a major upgrade, with role-based access controls and mandatory multi-factor authentication now becoming regulatory requirements.
Perhaps the most impactful change is mandatory integration with the National Telecom Security Operations Center (nTSOC). This will allow real-time intelligence sharing and a coordinated national response to cyberattacks—something Pakistan’s telecom sector has historically lacked.
Aligning with Global Benchmarks
PTA has emphasized that CTDISR-2025 is not being developed in isolation. The rules are aligned with international standards such as ISO/IEC 27001 and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, while also complementing Pakistan’s National Cybersecurity Policy 2021.
The regulator highlights that the new framework takes into account emerging global risks like ransomware outbreaks, AI-driven intrusions, and supply-chain compromises, which have become some of the most disruptive attack vectors worldwide.
Raising Pakistan’s Cybersecurity Profile
By forcing telecom operators to adopt stronger controls and integrate with national-level defense mechanisms, PTA expects CTDISR-2025 to boost both resilience and credibility. Beyond protecting local infrastructure, the regulator believes these steps will help improve Pakistan’s position in the Global Cyber Security Index, where the country has historically lagged behind regional peers.
In short, CTDISR-2025 marks a decisive step towards a more mature cybersecurity regime in Pakistan—one that shifts the telecom sector from box-ticking compliance to a genuinely risk-aware, forward-looking posture.
