The National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT) of Pakistan, Yottabyte Inc. and APNIC Foundation have jointly organized a two day hands on Information Security Bootcamp at National University of Technology (NUTECH) under the Cyber Secure Pakistan programme. The initiative focused on improving practical cybersecurity capabilities among participants, strengthening institutional cyber resilience and supporting alignment with national cybersecurity governance and regulatory frameworks.
The technical bootcamp was led by Abu Baker Gondal, Chief Technologist at Yottabyte Inc., and covered three major areas of cybersecurity including Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC), Offensive Security and Defensive Operations. Participants received practical exposure to cybersecurity risk management, threat intelligence practices and compliance requirements related to the Pakistan Information Security Framework (PISF). The sessions also included exercises based on the MITRE ATT&CK framework, allowing participants to understand different stages of security assessments, including reconnaissance, payload development, execution methods and Command and Control (C2) operations. The programme also focused on defensive security practices by introducing participants to modern Security Operations Center (SOC) workflows, threat detection methods and incident response procedures. Practical demonstrations included the use of Elastic SIEM and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions to help participants understand how security teams monitor systems, identify potential risks and respond to incidents. These activities were designed to provide participants with industry-relevant knowledge and improve their ability to handle cybersecurity challenges across organizational environments.
During the bootcamp, Syed Imran Haider, Assistant Director Trainings at National CERT, delivered a session highlighting the organization’s mandate, ongoing initiatives and Pakistan’s evolving cybersecurity landscape. The session also discussed emerging career opportunities in cybersecurity and the growing demand for skilled professionals capable of supporting digital security efforts across different sectors. The collaboration between National CERT, Yottabyte Inc. and APNIC Foundation reflects a continued focus on cybersecurity capacity building, industry and academic collaboration and the development of a technically skilled cybersecurity workforce in Pakistan. Through initiatives such as the Cyber Secure Pakistan programme, organizations are working to enhance awareness, strengthen practical security expertise and encourage the adoption of effective cybersecurity practices.
The bootcamp provided participants with a combination of theoretical understanding and practical training across governance, offensive security and defensive operations. By bringing together cybersecurity professionals, academic institutions and industry partners, the initiative aims to contribute to a stronger cybersecurity ecosystem and support Pakistan’s efforts toward improving digital resilience.
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