National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT) of Pakistan conducted a detailed training session on cyber laws at the Department of Information Security, Military College of Signals – NUST. The program was attended by students of the Bachelor of Engineering in Information Security program and faculty members, aiming to strengthen awareness and understanding of Pakistan’s legal framework for cybersecurity.
The session was led by Ms. Zaheema Iqbal, Assistant Director, Advisories & Communications, who provided a comprehensive overview of the country’s evolving cyber threat landscape. She discussed the increasing complexity and scale of cyberattacks and emphasized the importance of proactive defense strategies for individuals, organizations, and national security. Participants were guided on identifying digital risks, understanding their implications, and adopting measures to mitigate potential threats in both professional and personal contexts.
Ms. Zaheema also outlined the evolution of Pakistan’s cyber legislation, including major frameworks such as the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), the Digital Nation Act 2025, the AI Policy 2025, and the Data Protection Bill. She highlighted the significance of these laws in strengthening cybersecurity governance and data protection, while underlining the need to harmonize national regulations with global standards. References to internationally recognized frameworks such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) were made to stress best practices in data privacy, digital rights, and institutional compliance. The discussion also addressed the importance of cross-sector collaboration and the need for capacity building to enhance resilience against cyber threats.
National CERT reinforced its commitment to fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness, preparedness, and resilience across Pakistan’s digital ecosystem. By engaging with students and faculty at MCS, the initiative aims to equip emerging professionals with the knowledge and skills required to navigate the complex legal and regulatory environment governing digital operations. Through such programs, National CERT seeks to enhance Pakistan’s capability to respond to cyber incidents effectively while ensuring adherence to national and international standards for cybersecurity and data governance.
This initiative reflects ongoing efforts by National CERT to integrate academic institutions into the national cybersecurity strategy, providing platforms for knowledge-sharing and capacity development. With cyber threats evolving rapidly, training programs like these are critical to ensuring that future information security professionals are well-prepared to protect Pakistan’s digital infrastructure and contribute to a robust cybersecurity ecosystem.
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