National University of Technology has taken a significant step toward strengthening institutional cybersecurity by establishing NUTECH CERT as part of its broader governance framework. The development aligns with national efforts to build a cyber resilient digital ecosystem in Pakistan and reflects the university’s commitment to structured information security practices. The initiative formally commenced with a workshop on Cybersecurity and Implementing ISO IEC 27001 2022 for the development of a university wide Information Security Management System, marking the beginning of a coordinated effort to enhance institutional preparedness and compliance with recognized standards.
The workshop focused on raising cybersecurity awareness and improving institutional readiness in alignment with nCERT initiatives and the strategic direction of Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication under National Cyber Security Policy. Participants were introduced to ISO IEC 27001 2022 and its relevance to higher education institutions, particularly in managing sensitive academic, administrative, and research data. The session outlined a practical roadmap for implementing an Information Security Management System aligned with international best practices and national expectations. Capacity building and structured training of all relevant stakeholders remained central to the agenda, reinforcing the need for shared responsibility across departments in managing digital risks and safeguarding critical information assets.
During the workshop, CTO Rai Sabir Hussain shared insights on the growing importance of cyber resilience in an increasingly digital academic environment. He emphasized the responsibilities associated with cybersecurity leadership and clarified the roles linked to governance, oversight, and operational execution within NUTECH. The initiative is being spearheaded by the university’s CISO, who highlighted the importance of structured implementation, clear accountability, and institutional coordination in achieving meaningful security maturity. The establishment of NUTECH CERT is designed to serve as a central mechanism for incident response coordination, policy enforcement, risk management, and compliance monitoring, enabling the university to systematically manage evolving cyber threats while maintaining academic continuity.
The event also underscored the importance of collaboration and mentorship in achieving cybersecurity objectives. Strong coordination by Rida Nadeem played a key role in the successful conduct of the workshop, ensuring alignment among stakeholders and smooth execution of the program. Continued guidance from Haider Abbas was acknowledged for supporting efforts aimed at enabling Pakistan’s ICT industry to adopt a protected and resilient cybersecurity posture. With defined timelines, collective ownership, and adherence to ISO IEC 27001 2022 requirements, NUTECH’s initiative represents a structured compliance driven approach to strengthening cybersecurity maturity within the higher education sector while contributing to Pakistan’s broader national cyber resilience framework.
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