Pakistan Information Security Framework 2026 (PISF 2026) has been approved by the Federal Cabinet, marking a significant step toward strengthening Pakistan cybersecurity governance and information security across the public sector. Developed by the National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT) with the support of Ministry of IT and Telecommunication Pakistan, the framework establishes a nationally aligned baseline for information security practices. It introduces 234 essential security controls that will be applicable to federal and provincial ministries, divisions, departments, autonomous public sector bodies, public sector corporations, CERTs, and designated Critical Information Infrastructures. The framework has been designed to align with international security practices while addressing Pakistan national requirements.
PISF 2026 provides a unified, scalable and risk based approach to protecting government information assets, digital services and critical systems. According to National CERT, the framework aims to improve institutional coordination, strengthen trust among public sector organizations and establish consistent oversight of cybersecurity practices. It also introduces a common national baseline that enables organizations to measure their information security maturity using a standardized approach. By reducing fragmentation caused by multiple unaligned security frameworks, PISF 2026 is expected to improve coordination across government institutions and contribute to a more resilient and secure digital ecosystem for Pakistan.
Alongside the approval of the framework, National CERT has also published supporting resources to assist organizations in implementing the new security baseline. These include the PISF 2026 document containing the complete list of 234 security controls and the Audit Engagement and Oversight Framework, which provides guidance for conducting and overseeing information security audits against the national baseline. National CERT has also confirmed that a dedicated implementation plan for organizations will be released soon to support systematic adoption and operationalization of the framework across the public sector. The published resources are intended to help organizations understand the security requirements and prepare for future implementation activities.
National CERT stated that the approval of PISF 2026 reflects its continued commitment to strengthening Pakistan cybersecurity resilience through effective governance, coordinated institutional efforts and ongoing capacity building. The framework establishes a national foundation for protecting information assets and critical digital infrastructure while promoting a secure, trusted and resilient digital environment. With Federal Cabinet approval now in place, PISF 2026 provides public sector organizations with a common information security baseline that supports stronger governance, improved security oversight and consistent protection of digital systems across Pakistan.
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