Pakistan’s National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT) has conducted a cybersecurity and fraud awareness session for more than 400 national and international officials representing United Nations agencies, international organizations, and development partners. The session was organized at the invitation of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC Country Office Pakistan) and included participation from 25 United Nations agencies and partner organizations through both physical and online attendance. The engagement focused on improving awareness about evolving cyber threats, strengthening digital security practices, and helping organizations and individuals better understand the risks associated with cybercrime and online fraud.
The session opened with remarks from Mr. Troels Vester, Representative, UNODC Country Office Pakistan, who highlighted the increasing importance of cybersecurity awareness in an interconnected digital environment. He emphasized the need for stronger understanding of cyber risks as organizations continue expanding their reliance on digital platforms for communication, operations, and service delivery. The participation of officials from various international organizations reflected the growing need for coordinated efforts to enhance cybersecurity knowledge and promote responsible digital practices across institutions. The session provided a platform for sharing information about current cyber challenges and practical measures that can help protect sensitive information and maintain secure digital environments.
Dr. Haider Abbas (TI), Director General, National CERT, delivered an interactive awareness session covering the changing cyber threat landscape, emerging cybercrime trends, and common fraud techniques affecting individuals and organizations. During the session, he discussed threats including phishing attacks, social engineering methods, financial fraud, identity theft, and impersonation scams that continue to target users across digital platforms. He also shared practical cybersecurity recommendations to help participants identify suspicious activities, protect official and personal digital assets, secure sensitive information, and improve overall cyber resilience. The discussion focused on building awareness among users about recognizing potential threats before they result in data exposure, financial losses, or unauthorized access to digital accounts.
The initiative reflects National CERT’s continued efforts to strengthen cybersecurity awareness, promote collaboration with national and international stakeholders, and support capacity building initiatives. By engaging with United Nations agencies, international organizations, and development partners, National CERT is contributing to broader efforts aimed at creating a more secure digital ecosystem. Cybersecurity awareness remains an important component of digital resilience as organizations face increasingly complex online threats and fraud techniques. Through such awareness programs, institutions can improve preparedness, encourage safer technology practices, and develop stronger defenses against cyber risks affecting modern digital environments. The session also highlights the importance of cooperation between cybersecurity bodies and international organizations in advancing knowledge sharing and improving collective readiness against emerging digital challenges.
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