Taxpayers’ information intact; database breach prevented

Taxpayers’ information intact; database breach prevented

In a recent cyber onslaught, the Information Technology (IT) wing of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) emerged triumphant in safeguarding the tax system’s database against a Trojan malware attack.

The incident prompted a temporary halt in services on the official portal, but a senior tax official assured that the situation is under control, and services will be fully restored soon.

The cyber intrusion, executed by a Trojan malware, impacted FBR’s systems, leading to a temporary disruption. However, the tax official, who requested anonymity, revealed that the IT team has a comprehensive backup of the entire database. This backup enables technical experts to swiftly restore the website to its normal functioning, mitigating any potential loss of data.

The official assured the public that all taxpayer databases and other essential applications are secure and will soon be back online. Nevertheless, during the initial phase of the recovery process, these applications may run with limited resources, potentially causing some delays in accessibility.

Amid these developments, authorities are actively investigating the origins of the cyber attack. Preliminary findings suggest that the attack was planned and executed from a foreign location. Cybersecurity experts are collaborating to trace the source and hold the perpetrators accountable.

Despite the cyber attack’s impact on the FBR portal, the Customs online system, WeBOC, remains functional, and the clearance process continues to operate normally. The resilience of WeBOC underscores the importance of having robust cybersecurity measures in place to protect critical government systems.

The FBR issued a clarification regarding the disruption in Customs Operations, attributing it to the ongoing upgrade of the FBR Data Center. Customs operations, including Goods Declaration (GD) filing in Weboc for exports, remained fully operational throughout the week. However, a minor glitch in the Active Taxpayer List (ATL) module temporarily affected import GDs filing, which necessitated ATL data as input in the Weboc system. This issue has been promptly resolved, and import GD filing is now functioning smoothly.

The daily statistics for GD filing indicate a substantial volume of transactions, highlighting the significance of uninterrupted operations. On the 14th of August, GD filing for imports and exports reached 1901, showcasing the pivotal role of these systems in facilitating trade activities.

In the face of evolving cyber threats, the FBR’s ability to repel the attack and ensure the integrity of taxpayer data reflects the importance of investing in cybersecurity infrastructure. The ongoing investigation will shed light on the motives behind the cyber attack and strengthen measures to prevent future security breaches. As the FBR works diligently to restore full functionality, the incident serves as a reminder of the persistent need for robust cybersecurity protocols in safeguarding critical government databases.