Islamabad, Pakistan – In a continued effort to enhance cybersecurity preparedness across the public sector, the National Computer Emergency Response Team (National CERT) successfully conducted the seventh session of its hallmark initiative, “CyberSecureGov: Cyber Guidelines Initiative,” on May 20, 2025. This strategic session reaffirmed the importance of collaborative dialogue and capacity building for defending Pakistan’s public sector digital infrastructure against rapidly evolving cyber threats.
The session brought together senior officials from the Senate of Pakistan and the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, fostering a high-level exchange of insights on institutional cybersecurity practices. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions centered on tailored cybersecurity strategies, specialized frameworks, and actionable best practices aimed at safeguarding critical government data and digital systems.
The event was highlighted by an insightful session led by Dr. Mehreen Afzal, Director of Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) at National CERT. Dr. Afzal emphasized the growing need for institutional risk awareness and interdepartmental cybersecurity alignment. She presented a practical approach to navigating institutional vulnerabilities using the Cybersecurity Implementation Guidelines developed by National CERT. Her session focused on equipping government organizations with frameworks that enable early detection of systemic threats, enhance digital governance, and promote security-first thinking across departments.
Complementing this, Mr. Khurram Javed, Director of Capacity Building, conducted an interactive, hands-on session focused on institutional preparedness and long-term strategic cybersecurity planning. His presentation encouraged attendees to adopt innovative and proactive defense mechanisms, emphasizing the importance of internal capacity development to cope with emerging digital threats. His facilitation style sparked robust engagement, helping participants understand how cyber resilience can be cultivated through training, awareness, and forward-thinking policy implementation.
The CyberSecureGov initiative has established itself as a critical platform for promoting cybersecurity culture across public institutions. By encouraging inter-agency collaboration and the exchange of best practices, the program is helping create a national ecosystem of well-informed, cyber-aware government entities that can collectively protect the country’s digital frontiers.
This seventh session marks another milestone in National CERT’s overarching mission to bolster cyber resilience within Pakistan’s public sector. The strong participation from parliamentary bodies reflects the growing recognition of cybersecurity as a national priority, with increasing demand for targeted guidelines and expert-led knowledge-sharing initiatives.
As digital systems become more deeply embedded in government operations, initiatives like CyberSecureGov are not just necessary—they are foundational to building a resilient digital state. By addressing institutional challenges head-on and providing practical tools for implementation, National CERT is positioning itself as a central force in shaping Pakistan’s cyber policy landscape.
With more sessions planned in the coming months, the National CERT remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing cybersecurity awareness, readiness, and collaboration throughout Pakistan’s public sector, ensuring that governmental organizations are prepared to face the complex cyber challenges of the modern digital era.
