K-Electric Limited, the primary power utility provider for Karachi, faced a cyber-attack attempt earlier this week, resulting in the disruption of a few services. The company disclosed this incident in a statement released on Thursday, emphasizing that critical customer services remain unaffected.
In a notice sent to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), K-Electric confirmed the cyber-incident, assuring stakeholders and customers that essential services, including bill payment solutions and the 118 call-center, are fully operational. “While all critical customer services including bill payment solution and 118 call-center are operational and fully functional, to ensure the integrity of our system, as a precautionary measure, we have isolated a few non-critical services,” the company stated.
Despite maintaining essential operations, K-Electric acknowledged that customers might encounter difficulties accessing duplicate bills through its website. As an alternative, customers are advised to obtain duplicate bills from the nearest K-Electric Customer Care Center.
In response to the attempted cyber-attack, K-Electric has initiated consultations with international information security experts and is collaborating with local authorities to bolster its cybersecurity measures. “We have initiated consultation with international information security experts and are also collaborating with local authorities in this regard,” the company added.
The swift action to isolate non-critical services underscores K-Electric’s commitment to safeguarding its system integrity and minimizing any potential risks associated with cyber threats. The company’s proactive approach aims to ensure that the disruption remains contained and critical services continue without interruption.
Cybersecurity incidents have been on the rise globally, prompting utilities and other critical infrastructure providers to enhance their defenses against such threats. K-Electric’s incident serves as a reminder of the persistent risks and the importance of robust cybersecurity strategies.
Customers are encouraged to stay informed through official K-Electric channels and to utilize the alternative methods provided for any disrupted services. The company’s efforts to address the incident and consult with experts reflect a concerted effort to enhance security and maintain service reliability amidst growing cyber threats.
As investigations and consultations continue, K-Electric aims to restore all services promptly and reinforce its cybersecurity framework to prevent future incidents.