Jinnah University for Women (JUW) hosted the main session of the 3rd International Conference on Cybersecurity and Digital Defense (ICyDD 2026) on October 31, 2026, bringing together representatives from academia, industry and Pakistan’s information technology sector to discuss developments in cybersecurity and digital defense. Organised by JUW’s Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering, the second day of the conference provided a platform for researchers, technology professionals and industry leaders to exchange knowledge and perspectives on emerging digital security challenges. The conference was held under the patronage of Mr. Wajeehuddin Ahmed, Chancellor of Jinnah University for Women, and Prof. Dr. Naeem Farooqui, Vice Chancellor of JUW. Their continued support for research and industry engagement has contributed to the development of ICyDD since its first edition. Opening the proceedings, Ms. Samia Ghazala, Chairperson of the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering, delivered the welcome address, highlighting the growing importance of cybersecurity in an increasingly connected world. She also welcomed the guests, speakers and participants attending the second day of the conference, emphasising the relevance of bringing academic and professional communities together to address evolving cybersecurity requirements.
The keynote addresses were delivered by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Mubashir Khan, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Computer Science and Information Technology at NED University of Engineering and Technology, and Dr. Muhammad Atif Tahir, Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi. Their participation brought academic perspectives to the conference’s discussions on cybersecurity and digital defense. The programme also featured invited industry talks, providing an opportunity to highlight professional experiences and operational perspectives from the technology sector. Mr. Uzair Hashmi, Senior Manager Security Operations Center (SOC) at Sky47 Limited, delivered an industry-focused address, while Mr. Wajeehuddin Ahmed, Chancellor of Jinnah University for Women, also addressed the audience. The session was further distinguished by the presence of Chief Guest Dr. Shoab Khan, a prominent figure in Pakistan’s technology, research and industry sectors. Dr. Khan serves as Chancellor of Sir Syed CASE Institute of Technology, Chief Executive Officer of Center for Advanced Research in Engineering (CARE), and Chairman of Pakistan Software Houses Association for IT and ITeS (P@SHA). His participation brought additional industry and institutional representation to the conference, reflecting the importance of collaboration between academic institutions, technology organisations and the wider IT ecosystem.
Prof. Dr. Narmeen Zakaria Bawany, Conference Chair and Dean of the Faculty of Science at Jinnah University for Women, delivered the vote of thanks, acknowledging the contributions of speakers, guests and participants. The formal session concluded with an award distribution ceremony, followed by a visit to the student project showcase. The showcase provided an opportunity to highlight student-led work and demonstrate the role of academic institutions in encouraging practical learning, research and technological development. By including student projects alongside keynote addresses and industry discussions, ICyDD 2026 connected academic research with professional perspectives and practical applications. Such platforms are particularly relevant in cybersecurity, where evolving technologies and digital threats require continuous learning, research and cooperation between educational institutions and industry professionals. The participation of senior academics, cybersecurity specialists and IT sector representatives also demonstrated the value of creating opportunities for knowledge exchange across different areas of the technology ecosystem. The conference’s focus on cybersecurity and digital defense placed these discussions within the wider context of strengthening Pakistan’s technical capabilities and supporting the development of skilled professionals.
ICyDD 2026 was supported by several sponsors and industry partners that contributed to the conference. TrendAI participated as the Platinum Sponsor, while TMC (TallyMarks Consulting), Optivise Overseas Education and Apex Consulting Services also supported the event. The conference’s partner organisations included ISACA Karachi, Women In Cyber Security (WiCyS) Pakistan Affiliate, Trillium Information Security Systems, syslab.ai, PMI Karachi Pakistan Chapter and Pakistan Software Houses Association for IT and ITeS (P@SHA). The involvement of these organisations reflected the collaborative role of academic institutions, professional associations and technology companies in supporting cybersecurity-related initiatives. The Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering at JUW expressed its gratitude to the Chief Guest, keynote speakers, invited speakers and participants for their contributions to the success of the second day. Through ICyDD 2026, Jinnah University for Women continued to provide a platform for academic engagement, industry participation and discussions around digital security, reinforcing the importance of research, professional collaboration and knowledge-sharing in Pakistan’s evolving cybersecurity ecosystem.
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