National Cyber Emergency Response Team warns banks, critical infrastructure operators of AI-powered cyberattacks

Pakistan’s National Cyber Emergency Response Team has cautioned banks, financial institutions and essential service operators about cyberattacks using artificial intelligence. In an advisory issued Friday, the agency said automated tools can speed up the search for system weaknesses, credential theft and coordinated attacks.

The warning covers core banking platforms, digital payments, customer applications and APIs, as well as oil and gas sites, power networks, water utilities, factories and transport systems. Attackers could alter account balances shown to customers without changing underlying records, while intrusions into industrial control systems could interrupt operations and public services.

National CERT urged banks to improve login safeguards, oversee automated access attempts and check transaction records independently. It also advised infrastructure operators to limit internet access to industrial systems, protect remote connections, separate operational technology from IT networks and prepare backups.