National CERT has inaugurated two new infrastructure facilities in Islamabad to strengthen cybersecurity capacity development and public awareness across Pakistan. The initiative has been launched in collaboration with the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) with support from the Embassy of Norway. The newly established Multi Facility Hub and Public Awareness and Media Studio are intended to enhance technical training, stakeholder engagement, and cybersecurity awareness initiatives while supporting the development of a stronger national cybersecurity ecosystem. The facilities were formally inaugurated by Dr. Haider Abbas, TI, Director General National CERT, and Ms. Siri Håkedal Vestøl, Counsellor and Immigration Liaison Officer at the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Pakistan.
The Multi Facility Hub has been developed as a modern and technology enabled venue that will support a wide range of professional activities, including technical training programs, interactive workshops, stakeholder consultations, seminars, round table discussions, table talks, and high level meetings. According to National CERT, the facility is designed to strengthen the technical skills and cybersecurity knowledge of government officials, personnel from critical infrastructure organizations, academic institutions, and other key stakeholders. By providing a dedicated environment for knowledge sharing and professional development, the hub is expected to contribute to building a highly skilled and resilient cybersecurity workforce capable of addressing the country’s evolving digital security challenges. The facility also provides a collaborative platform where public sector institutions, industry experts, and academic representatives can exchange knowledge, discuss emerging cybersecurity issues, and strengthen cooperation on national cyber resilience initiatives.
Alongside the training hub, National CERT has also established the Public Awareness and Media Studio, a multimedia facility equipped with modern audio visual technology and professional broadcasting capabilities. The studio has been created to support the production of podcasts, interviews, webinars, live streams, and other digital content focused on cybersecurity and digital safety. National CERT stated that the facility will serve as a dedicated platform for creating educational content covering cyber hygiene, cybersecurity awareness, emerging cyber threats, and online safety practices for citizens, businesses, educational institutions, and other stakeholders. Through expert discussions, interviews, awareness campaigns, and multimedia content, the studio aims to improve public understanding of cybersecurity while encouraging safer digital practices across different sectors of society. The facility also enables National CERT to expand its outreach activities by delivering informative content through multiple digital channels, supporting broader efforts to improve cybersecurity awareness at the national level.
During the inauguration ceremony, Dr. Haider Abbas briefed Ms. Siri Håkedal Vestøl on National CERT’s mandate and its role in strengthening Pakistan’s cybersecurity landscape. He emphasized the importance of the newly inaugurated facilities and thanked the Royal Norwegian Embassy for its support in establishing them, noting that they would serve as valuable resources for government institutions, critical infrastructure operators, academia, and other stakeholders. Ms. Vestøl acknowledged the work being carried out by National CERT to strengthen Pakistan’s digital ecosystem and expressed support for continued collaboration in the country’s development. National CERT stated that the partnership with ICMPD and the Embassy of Norway reflects a shared commitment to promoting a digitally secure, socially resilient, and culturally cohesive Pakistan through innovation, collaboration, capacity building, and increased cybersecurity awareness.
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