The government has started forming a Federal Computer Emergency Response Team (Federal CERT) to protect federal government systems from cyberattacks and improve cybersecurity across public institutions.

The National CERT has started the recruitment process for a director and cybersecurity specialists who will work for the new body.

Under the Computer Emergency Response Team Rules, 2023, the Federal CERT will deal with cybersecurity issues affecting federal ministries, divisions, departments and other government organisations. Its scope will also include autonomous and semi-autonomous public-sector bodies working on federal subjects.

The Federal CERT will operate as a Sectoral CERT and work under the National CERT through the Government CERT. It will coordinate cybersecurity efforts across federal institutions and help them share information about cyber threats.

The team will also monitor threats, identify possible attacks and coordinate responses to cybersecurity incidents.

Its responsibilities will include security audits, vulnerability assessments, malware analysis, incident response and assistance with recovering systems after cyber incidents.

The Federal CERT will also establish a Security Operations Centre staffed by cybersecurity professionals to continuously monitor and protect federal digital infrastructure.

Under the rules, federal institutions will have to report a cybersecurity incident to their Sectoral CERT and the National CERT within one hour of detecting it.

Information on compliance and cybersecurity incidents will also be compiled for reporting to the prime minister twice a year.