National Cyber Achievements Recognition

Dr. Haider Abbas Honored with Tamgha-i-Imtiaz for his Contributions to Cybersecurity R&D

Professor Dr. Haider Abbas, currently the Director General of the National CERT, was honored with one of the Highest Civil awards (Tamgha-i-Imtiaz) by the Government of Pakistan on March 23, 2024, for his unmatched contributions to the field of Information Technology and Cybersecurity. With a background as the former Head of Cybersecurity in the Department of Information Security at MCS, NUST, and Principal Investigator of the National Cyber Security Auditing & Evaluation Lab (NCSAEL), Professor Abbas has been a driving force in advancing cybersecurity initiatives.

National Cyber Initiatives

Nation Center for Cyber Security

  • Build national capacity to carry out R&D in the emerging fields of cybersecurity
  • Fulfill Pakistan’s cybersecurity requirements by solving local cyber security problems
  • Contribute to sustainable economic growth through commercialization
  • Develop a vibrant cybersecurity ecosystem

 PK Cyber Emergency Response Team

  • Detection, prevention, and response to cyber threats
  • Promote cybersecurity awareness
  • Research and development
  • Develop and implement cybersecurity policies
  • Foster international cooperation

Rethinking Cybersecurity in PK

  • The goal of the project “Rethinking Cybersecurity in Pakistan: Human Factors’ Essential Role.
  • RECYPHER, is to create a comprehensive capacity-building program in Pakistan for the area of cybersecurity and the connection with psychological know-how.

Evolution of Cybersecurity Legislations​

The federal and provincial governments have enacted key ordinances and acts; among them are the National Cyber Security Policy 2021, the Prevention of Electronic Crime Act 2016, the Investigation for Fair Trial Act 2013, the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Ordinance 2007, the Electronic Transaction Ordinance 2002, and the Pakistan Telecommunication Act 1996. The establishment of the National Center for Cyber Security in 2018 and academic programs signify steps towards addressing the demand for digital skills. However, the review underscores the vulnerability of Pakistan’s computer systems to cyber threats due to their reliance on imported technologies and emphasizes the imperative to strengthen indigenous cybersecurity capabilities.

For a more in-depth examination of each of the mentioned legislative measures, please refer to the following resources:

National Cyber Initiatives

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