AN OPTIMIZED FRAMEWORK OF CYBERSECURITY TECHNIQUES FOR PROTECTING THE PERSONAL INFORMATION OF ACCOUNT HOLDERS IN INTERNET BANKING SYSTEM OF PAKISTAN

Abstract

The rapid innovation in digital technology has revolutionized banking services, enabling automatic financial transactions and transforming customer engagement through Internet banking. This shift has led to reduced operational costs and enhanced customer satisfaction; however, it has also introduced serious vulnerabilities, especially in countries like Pakistan where Internet banking remains a relatively new but growing phenomenon. Fraudsters now exploit sophisticated online techniques, raising the stakes for banks facing internal, external, and regulatory cybersecurity threats. This study employed a quantitative methodology using structured survey responses from 350 account holders across Pakistan to examine these challenges. Through descriptive statistics, reliability testing, and Reliability Analysis, Cronbach’s Alpha, the research validated a four-layer Cyber Defense Framework designed to protect digital financial information. Findings revealed significant gaps in technological awareness, procedural security, and trust in digital transactions, underscoring the urgent need for robust frameworks. Practically, the framework provides actionable insights for financial institutions and regulators supporting more resilient system designs, adaptive cybersecurity strategies, and enhanced legal mechanisms to safeguard users. By aligning technological innovation with strategic security measures, this study contributes a context-sensitive blueprint for strengthening Pakistan’s banking sector against emerging digital threats.