Pakistan's ongoing firewall upgrade project is progressing rapidly, with efforts underway to enhance both local and international gateways.
Sources within the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) have confirmed that significant components of the new firewall will be installed at these critical points.
The PTA has issued specific instructions to carry out firewall-related work during off-peak hours in response to complaints about slow internet speeds. The aim is to minimize disruptions to users while the upgrades are implemented.
Sources indicate that the PTA has directed its technical team to conduct large-scale trials only after thorough, limited-scale testing. This cautious approach is intended to ensure the system's stability before it is fully rolled out.
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However, the upgrade project is facing some challenges. Outdated equipment used by telecom companies has made it difficult to seamlessly integrate the new firewall. Compatibility issues between the old equipment and the new firewall technology have led to technical problems.
PTA sources have acknowledged these challenges, noting that it is normal to encounter technical difficulties during a first-time installation of this magnitude. They assured that these issues will be addressed and overcome in due course. Configuration problems have also arisen due to the involvement of devices from different manufacturers, further complicating the upgrade process.
Despite these hurdles, the PTA remains committed to completing the firewall upgrade, which is expected to significantly enhance Pakistan's cybersecurity infrastructure once fully operational.
