Islamabad: Pakistan has taken another step toward strengthening its national cybersecurity framework as National Cyber Emergency Response Team of Pakistan, commonly known as National CERT, entered into a strategic partnership with Institute of Regional Studies through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement is aimed at enhancing cybersecurity research, developing institutional linkages, and supporting capacity building initiatives that align technical expertise with policy driven insights. The development highlights the increasing focus on building a coordinated approach to addressing cyber challenges faced by the country in an evolving digital environment.
The MoU was formally signed in Islamabad by Dr. Haider Abbas, TI, Director General National CERT, and Ambassador Jauhar Saleem Saleem, President of Institute of Regional Studies. The signing ceremony marked a milestone in fostering collaboration between a national technical cybersecurity body and a policy oriented research institution. Both organizations agreed to work closely on initiatives designed to strengthen Pakistan’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to cyber threats. The partnership reflects a growing recognition that cybersecurity challenges require joint efforts across research, governance, and operational domains rather than isolated institutional responses.
Under the terms of the agreement, National CERT and Institute of Regional Studies will collaborate on joint research projects, expert exchange programs, training initiatives, and structured capacity building activities. The partnership also includes opportunities for internships and cybersecurity awareness programs aimed at developing skilled human capital. By aligning technical incident response expertise with policy research and strategic studies, the collaboration seeks to bridge existing gaps between cybersecurity implementation and policy formulation. This approach is expected to support more informed decision making and a better coordinated national response to emerging cyber risks affecting public institutions, private sector entities, and critical digital infrastructure.
Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Haider Abbas emphasized that cybersecurity has become an indispensable pillar of national security in today’s complex and interconnected threat landscape. He noted that the increasing sophistication of cyber risks demands research driven and collaborative solutions that bring together multiple stakeholders. Dr. Abbas highlighted that partnerships such as this one play a vital role in strengthening institutional readiness, improving knowledge sharing, and supporting the development of a resilient digital ecosystem. He added that National CERT remains committed to working with academic and policy institutions to enhance Pakistan’s overall cyber resilience and preparedness.
Ambassador Jauhar Saleem Saleem also underscored the importance of the partnership, stating that cybersecurity has emerged as a critical dimension of both national and regional security. He highlighted that policy focused research institutions have a significant role in understanding the broader strategic implications of cyber threats and in supporting evidence based policy recommendations. According to him, collaboration with technical organizations like National CERT enables more practical and actionable outcomes that can support national interests in the digital domain. The partnership, he noted, reflects a shared commitment to strengthening institutional capacity and contributing to a secure and sustainable digital future for Pakistan.
The collaboration represents National CERT’s continued efforts to expand its engagement with key stakeholders across the national cybersecurity ecosystem. By fostering partnerships that emphasize research, training, and awareness, the initiative aims to contribute to long term institutional strengthening and skilled workforce development. The agreement with Institute of Regional Studies reinforces the importance of integrated approaches that combine technical expertise with strategic policy insights to address cybersecurity challenges in an increasingly digital world.
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