The Higher Education Commission (HEC) and National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cybersecurity cooperation, coordination, and resilience across Pakistan’s higher education sector. A key outcome of this collaboration is the establishment of PERN/HEC as the Education Sector Computer Emergency Response Team (EduCERT), creating a dedicated mechanism for universities and higher education institutions to strengthen cyber preparedness, improve information sharing, and coordinate responses to cybersecurity incidents. The initiative aims to build a more structured cybersecurity framework for educational institutions by enabling closer collaboration between HEC, National CERT, and universities across Pakistan.
The MoU represents an effort to improve cybersecurity readiness within the higher education ecosystem as institutions continue expanding their digital infrastructure and online services. Universities increasingly rely on information systems, research networks, digital learning platforms, and administrative technologies, making effective cybersecurity measures essential for protecting institutional data and maintaining operational continuity. Through EduCERT, higher education institutions will have a dedicated platform to support cyber threat monitoring, incident coordination, security awareness, and information exchange. The initiative will enable universities to receive better coordination and support in identifying cybersecurity risks, responding to incidents, and strengthening their internal security practices. By establishing a sector specific response mechanism, the collaboration aims to improve communication between educational institutions and cybersecurity authorities while supporting a coordinated approach toward managing evolving cyber challenges.
The MoU was signed by Prof Dr Zia Ul Haq (S.I), Executive Director HEC, and Dr. Mehreen Afzal, Director Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC), National CERT. The signing ceremony was attended by Chairman HEC Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar (S.I), Director General National CERT Dr. Haider Abbas, TI, Advisor IT Engr. Nazeer Hussain, Engr. Naeem Ahmed Director IT, and senior representatives from both organizations. During the event, Chairman HEC Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar highlighted the importance of coordinated cybersecurity efforts, timely information sharing, and strengthening institutional capabilities to address emerging cyber threats. He emphasized the need for collaboration among stakeholders to enhance the ability of higher education institutions to prepare for and respond to cybersecurity challenges in an increasingly digital environment.
Through the establishment of EduCERT, PERN/HEC will support universities and higher education institutions in areas including cyber threat monitoring, incident response coordination, security awareness, and cybersecurity capacity building. Sectoral CERT structures play an important role in improving communication between organizations within a specific domain by enabling faster information exchange and coordinated action during cybersecurity events. The collaboration between HEC and National CERT is expected to contribute to a stronger and more resilient higher education cybersecurity ecosystem in Pakistan. As educational institutions continue adopting digital technologies for teaching, research, and administration, initiatives such as EduCERT can help institutions improve their cybersecurity practices, enhance preparedness, and develop stronger mechanisms for managing cyber risks. The partnership reflects continued efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s digital security landscape through cooperation between government bodies, cybersecurity organizations, and academic institutions.
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