As part of its ongoing Monitoring and Evaluation process, National Centre for Cyber Security (NCCS) conducted an official visit to the Cyber Reconnaissance and Combat (CRC) Lab at Bahria University in Islamabad to assess the laboratory’s research activities, technical progress, and contributions to Pakistan cybersecurity landscape. The visit formed part of NCCS efforts to ensure that its affiliated research laboratories continue to advance innovation, strengthen indigenous cybersecurity capabilities, and support national cyber resilience through academic research and industry collaboration. The monitoring exercise also provided an opportunity for the evaluation committee to review ongoing projects, research outcomes, and the overall development of the CRC Lab.
The visiting committee was led by Air Marshal (R) Abdul Moeed Khan, Vice Chancellor of Air University, and included several representatives from NCCS, Higher Education Commission (HEC), academia, and industry. The delegation comprised Dr. Ghalib Shah, Director of NCCS, Dr. Bashir, In charge Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr. Mirza Ali Raza, Deputy Director Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr. Mushtaq Ali, Deputy Director of Research and Innovation Division at HEC, Mr. Jawad Khalid Mirza, Chief Information Security Officer at Askari Bank serving as the industry expert, and Ms. Maham Zafar, Project Coordinator at NCCS. The Rector of Bahria University also attended the visit, reflecting the institution’s commitment to advancing cybersecurity research and strengthening collaboration with national stakeholders working to improve Pakistan research and innovation ecosystem.
During the evaluation visit, Dr. Faisal Bashir Hussain delivered a detailed presentation highlighting the CRC Lab research portfolio, technical expertise, ongoing initiatives, achievements, and future development plans. The committee reviewed the laboratory infrastructure, research facilities, and active development projects to assess their progress and overall impact. Particular attention was given to the commercialization potential of research activities, the quality of technical outcomes, and the role of the laboratory in developing solutions that enhance Pakistan cybersecurity capabilities. The evaluation also focused on how the CRC Lab contributes to strengthening national cyber resilience through research, innovation, and collaboration between academia, government, and industry. By examining both current projects and future objectives, the committee gained insight into the laboratory’s efforts to address evolving cybersecurity challenges while supporting the development of local expertise and advanced research capabilities.
NCCS stated that its Monitoring and Evaluation framework continues to play an important role in maintaining high standards across its affiliated laboratories by encouraging continuous improvement, innovation, and collaboration. Through regular assessments such as the visit to the CRC Lab at Bahria University, NCCS aims to ensure that research institutions remain aligned with national cybersecurity priorities while delivering meaningful contributions to Pakistan technology ecosystem. The initiative also supports stronger coordination between universities, government organizations, regulatory bodies, and industry experts to promote practical cybersecurity research with long term value. By evaluating research quality, infrastructure development, and innovation potential, NCCS continues its efforts to strengthen the country’s cybersecurity ecosystem and encourage the development of indigenous technologies capable of addressing emerging cyber threats and supporting national digital resilience.
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