The National Computer Emergency Response Team of Pakistan, PKCERT, has partnered with global cybersecurity company Kaspersky by signing a Memorandum of Understanding to reinforce the country’s cybersecurity framework. The agreement is designed to improve cyber threat detection, prevention, and mitigation through coordinated collaboration, reflecting the growing need for a robust digital security posture in Pakistan. Through this partnership, both organizations aim to strengthen operational readiness across government institutions, the private sector, academia, and civil society by conducting comprehensive training and awareness programs that prepare stakeholders to handle emerging cyber risks.
As part of the collaboration, PKCERT and Kaspersky will undertake initiatives to develop a skilled cybersecurity workforce aligned with both national and international standards. These initiatives are expected to equip professionals with the expertise required to address a range of cyber challenges, including ransomware, cyber espionage, data breaches, attacks on critical infrastructure, financial and supply chain disruptions, and disinformation campaigns. In addition, both organizations will ensure that actionable cyber threat intelligence is shared promptly with relevant stakeholders throughout Pakistan, supporting proactive prevention and informed decision-making at all levels.
The partnership under the MoU spans multiple aspects of cybersecurity, including legislative and regulatory collaboration, incident detection and response, prevention and mitigation strategies, cybersecurity education, research and development, and professional exchanges. PKCERT and Kaspersky will exchange technical information, threat intelligence, and data feeds related to cyber threats and attacks impacting citizens, businesses, and government institutions in Pakistan. By fostering such cooperation, the agreement aims to create a more resilient national cybersecurity ecosystem and to support the secure digital transformation of Pakistan’s economy and critical infrastructure.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Haider Abbas, TI, Director General of PKCERT, and Rashed Al Momani, General Manager for the Middle East and Pakistan at Kaspersky, in the presence of Kaspersky CEO Eugene Kaspersky and Federal IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja. Speaking on the partnership, Dr. Abbas highlighted the dual role of information and communication technologies in driving socio-economic growth while exposing new vulnerabilities that require structured mitigation efforts. Rashed Al Momani emphasized that secure digital development depends on strong collaboration between public authorities and private organizations and underscored Kaspersky’s experience working with international and regional partners, including computer emergency response teams worldwide. The cooperation with PKCERT is considered a critical step in enhancing Pakistan’s cybersecurity readiness and ensuring a secure digital environment for the nation.
This partnership demonstrates PKCERT’s commitment to building national cyber resilience through strategic collaborations, capacity development, and threat intelligence sharing, providing an important foundation for safeguarding Pakistan’s digital ecosystem and enabling sustainable growth in technology-driven sectors.
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