National CERT and UNICEF Pakistan have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding to enhance digital safety for children across the country through a focused Child Online Protection (COP) framework. The agreement marks a collaborative effort between the national cybersecurity authority and a global child welfare organization to integrate child-focused digital security measures into Pakistan’s broader cybersecurity agenda.
Held in Islamabad, the MoU signing ceremony brought together key leadership from both organizations. Representing National CERT were Dr. Haider Abbas, TI, Director General, Mr. Syed Imran Haider, Assistant Director Training, and Ms. Zaheema Iqbal, Assistant Director Advisory & Communications. From UNICEF Pakistan, attendees included Ms. Jennifer Melton, Chief of Child Protection, Ms. Farrah Ilyas, Child Protection Specialist, and Ms. Mahwish Saeed Syed, Social and Behavior Change Officer. The occasion marked a mutual recognition of the urgent need to safeguard children in an increasingly digital environment.
The partnership aims to establish a foundation for policy dialogue, joint interventions, and technical capacity-building that address the specific vulnerabilities children face online. It envisions a comprehensive strategy to enhance awareness, encourage digital literacy, and implement national protocols for managing cyber threats targeted at young users. Both parties affirmed their commitment to developing evidence-based programs that directly support children’s digital well-being and security.
At the heart of the initiative is the belief that children deserve a secure online space where they can learn, explore, and interact without facing harm. This collaboration will work to integrate cyber resilience and online protection into Pakistan’s child protection frameworks, offering educational resources for schools, digital safety training for parents, and support systems for reporting cyber incidents affecting minors.
This alliance reflects the growing importance of cross-sector collaboration in managing digital threats. By combining National CERT’s technical capabilities and policy leadership with UNICEF’s experience in child protection and social development, the initiative will contribute to a more inclusive and responsive cybersecurity ecosystem. The agreement also recognizes the need to build local expertise by supporting educators, caregivers, and digital platforms in identifying and responding to emerging cyber risks.
The partnership reinforces the message that digital transformation must go hand in hand with safety, especially for the youngest members of society. With Pakistan’s expanding internet penetration and growing youth population, proactive efforts like this are essential to reduce risks and promote responsible digital behavior. National CERT and UNICEF emphasized the need for coordinated action to ensure children have access to safe and empowering digital experiences.
By aligning national cybersecurity with global child protection standards, this collaboration takes a significant step in fostering a digital environment where children are protected, informed, and empowered to thrive.
Spurce: LinkedIn
