Innovista (Pvt.) Ltd. has officially joined hands with the National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT) as its Technology Innovation Partner under the flagship Cyber Innovation Ecosystem (CIE) initiative. This milestone collaboration aims to strengthen Pakistan’s cyber defense capabilities and foster a culture of innovation and research in the cybersecurity domain.
The formal agreement was signed through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during a ceremony held at the National CERT headquarters in Islamabad. The event was a significant moment for Pakistan’s cybersecurity landscape, marking a public-private partnership that promises to accelerate advancements in national cyber resilience.
The MoU signing ceremony was presided over by Dr. Haider Abbas, TI, the Director General of National CERT. Also in attendance were Brigadier Rana Farrukh Saleem, Secretary of the National Telecommunication and Information Security Board (NTISB), Khurram Javed, Director Capacity Building, and Syed Imran Haider, Assistant Director Training. Representing Innovista (Pvt.) Ltd. were key leadership figures including Saleem Arif, Executive Director; Awais Bin Siddique, Director of Corporate & Regulatory Affairs; Dr. Usman Zia, Director Technical; and Hisham Sarwar, Chief Executive Officer.
Through this partnership, Innovista and National CERT will work collaboratively to advance national cybersecurity capabilities. The strategic alliance emphasizes joint research, technological innovation, and skill development, with the objective of developing cutting-edge solutions tailored to the country’s unique cybersecurity needs. As part of the Cyber Innovation Ecosystem, Innovista will contribute its expertise to support knowledge exchange, capacity building, and the overall strengthening of the cybersecurity framework in Pakistan.
Dr. Haider Abbas expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, highlighting the critical role such partnerships play in developing a secure and self-sufficient digital infrastructure. He stressed that innovation-driven cooperation between the public and private sectors is essential for staying ahead of rapidly evolving cyber threats. “Our goal is to create a digital Pakistan that is both innovative and resilient, and partnerships like these take us a step closer to that vision,” he stated.
The Cyber Innovation Ecosystem (CIE) initiative is designed to be a comprehensive and inclusive platform. It aims to bridge the gap between various stakeholders—government agencies, SECP-registered private sector companies, academic and research institutions, and technology innovators. By fostering a collaborative environment, CIE promotes the development of robust cybersecurity technologies, enhanced cyber threat intelligence sharing, and national preparedness against sophisticated adversarial threats.
The partnership with Innovista reflects the growing recognition of the importance of cross-sector cooperation in tackling the modern challenges of cyberspace. It also signals an active shift towards strengthening the indigenous cybersecurity ecosystem through local talent, homegrown technologies, and coordinated national efforts.
As digitalization continues to transform the country’s infrastructure, initiatives like the Cyber Innovation Ecosystem and partnerships with tech-forward organizations such as Innovista will play a pivotal role in ensuring that Pakistan remains secure, adaptable, and innovative in the face of global cyber threats.
