In a strategic move to strengthen Pakistan’s cybersecurity infrastructure, the National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT) has called on SECP-registered organizations to become Technology Innovation Partners under its newly launched Cyber Innovation Ecosystem (CIE). This forward-looking initiative is a key pillar of Pakistan’s National Cyber Security Policy 2021 and contributes directly to the broader goals outlined in the country’s Digital Pakistan vision.
The Cyber Innovation Ecosystem (CIE) aims to bring together stakeholders from various sectors—private enterprises, startups, academic institutions, and R&D centers—to collaboratively shape the future of cybersecurity in Pakistan. With cyber threats becoming increasingly sophisticated, National CERT’s initiative seeks to cultivate a secure and self-reliant digital landscape by fostering innovation, intelligence sharing, and skill development across the nation’s cyber domain.
Organizations that join as Technology Innovation Partners will have the opportunity to play a pivotal role in advancing several critical areas of cybersecurity. These include the development of cutting-edge, indigenous cybersecurity solutions tailored to Pakistan’s unique threat landscape, real-time sharing of cyber threat intelligence, and collaborative efforts in building national capacity through training and skills enhancement. Furthermore, partners will be positioned to contribute to policy formulation and strategic planning at the national level, ensuring that Pakistan’s cybersecurity policies remain dynamic and responsive to global and local challenges.
This call for collaboration comes at a time when cybersecurity has become a national priority, not just for Pakistan but for governments and organizations around the world. With digital transformation accelerating in both the public and private sectors, the threats facing critical infrastructure, sensitive data, and digital services continue to evolve. The CIE provides a much-needed platform for coordinated defense and proactive innovation in this rapidly changing landscape.
National CERT’s initiative emphasizes a whole-of-nation approach to cybersecurity, seeking contributions from the most innovative minds across academia, industry, and research. By promoting public-private partnerships and leveraging local expertise, the CIE strives to reduce Pakistan’s dependence on foreign cybersecurity technologies while fostering homegrown innovation and resilience.
Startups and academic institutions, in particular, stand to benefit from this collaboration. They can bring fresh perspectives and cutting-edge research into the fold, while also gaining access to resources and networks that enhance their impact and reach. Similarly, R&D centers can work closely with industry and government to test and deploy new technologies at scale.
This partnership model is open to any organization registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), ensuring a wide and inclusive pool of participants. Interested entities are encouraged to learn more and register through the official National CERT website: https://pkcert.gov.pk/cie
As Pakistan continues its digital transformation journey, initiatives like the Cyber Innovation Ecosystem represent a crucial step in ensuring that progress is matched with robust security. National CERT’s invitation to become a Technology Innovation Partner is not just a call to action—it’s an opportunity to help shape a cyber-secure future for the country.
Source: LinkedIn
