The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued a tender for the installation of next-generation firewalls and web application firewalls (WAFs) over the next five years. The tender, announced through the EPADS System of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), invites bids for these advanced security systems, with a submission deadline of July 26.

The next-generation firewalls, referred to as Lot A, will be imported from China to ensure high security and reliability. These firewalls will include a hardware warranty with next business day (NBD) service to address any technical issues promptly and minimize downtime.

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They are designed to detect and block social media accounts that disseminate false political propaganda, aiming to curb misleading information. The specifications for Lot A include advanced threat prevention, URL filtering, application control, malware sandboxing, DNS security services, and six virtual firewall systems with VPN capabilities.

Lot B focuses on deploying web application firewalls that monitor and filter HTTP traffic to and from web applications. These firewalls will provide protection against cyber threats like SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS), offering detailed analytics and reporting. This setup will help in identifying attack patterns, safeguarding sensitive data, and ensuring compliance with security standards.

The PTA has arranged for internet service providers to assist in the installation, with costs shared between the providers and the government.