Islamabad, Pakistan. National Cyber Emergency Response Team of Pakistan participated in a five day Cyber Capacity Building and Policy Training Programme aimed at strengthening national capabilities to respond to emerging cyber threats and governance challenges in cyberspace. The programme was inaugurated by Foreign Secretary of Pakistan Ambassador Amna Baloch and organised by Ministry of Foreign Affairs Government of Pakistan in collaboration with United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research. The initiative was supported by Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada and brought together a diverse group of national stakeholders to deepen understanding of cybersecurity policy, operational coordination, and international engagement in the digital domain.
The training programme served as a comprehensive platform for interaction among policymakers, technical professionals, and academics representing key national institutions. Participants engaged in expert led sessions that examined the evolving nature of cyber threats and the growing impact of emerging technologies on national security and economic stability. Scenario based discussions and table top exercises allowed attendees to explore practical challenges related to cybercrime, incident response mechanisms, and coordination frameworks at the national and international levels. These sessions were designed to bridge policy and technical perspectives, enabling participants to better understand how strategic decisions translate into operational responses during cyber incidents. The programme also emphasized the importance of aligning national approaches with international norms and confidence building measures in cyberspace.
Dr Haider Abbas TI Director General National CERT attended the closing ceremony as Chief Guest and underscored the importance of national cyber resilience and coordinated incident response in an increasingly interconnected digital environment. He highlighted the role of multi stakeholder engagement and international collaboration in building sustainable cybersecurity ecosystems. During the course of the programme, Dr Haider Abbas also contributed to key panel discussions where he shared strategic insights on cyber governance, institutional capacity development, and the need for continuous skills enhancement to address sophisticated cyber challenges. His contributions reflected National CERT commitment to promoting informed policy discourse and practical readiness across public sector institutions.
National CERT representation throughout the programme included Director Labs Ms Adeela Waqar and IS Auditor Mr Khwaja Mansoor Ul Hassan, who actively participated in both technical sessions and policy focused discussions. Their engagement contributed to knowledge exchange on best practices in cyber risk management, incident analysis, and compliance with evolving governance frameworks. The participation of National CERT officials reinforced the organisation’s focus on strengthening internal expertise while contributing to broader national objectives related to cybersecurity preparedness. Through active involvement in international capacity building initiatives and policy dialogues, National CERT continues to support the development of a resilient, secure, and cooperative cyberspace governance environment for Pakistan.
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