Collaboration Launched to Promote Cybersecurity Research and Capacity Building
Islamabad:The Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) and the Pakistan National Cyber Emergency Response Team (PKCERT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today to formalize institutional collaboration in the field of cybersecurity. The MoU signing ceremony was attended by senior officials from both organizations, including Director General PKCERT, Haider Abbas.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, President of the Institute of Regional Studies, underscored that cybersecurity has emerged as a critical pillar of national security, affecting not only state institutions but also economic stability, governance, and societal resilience. He noted that the partnership reflects a shared understanding of the need for closer cooperation between policy-oriented research institutions and technical organizations to effectively respond to evolving cyber threats. Ambassador Saleem highlighted IRS’s commitment to advancing research, dialogue, and institutional partnerships to address emerging security challenges in cyberspace.
Haider Abbas, Director General PKCERT, stressed that there can be no national security without cybersecurity, noting that modern intelligence and threat landscapes have become increasingly sophisticated. He highlighted emerging cyber threats, including cryptojacking, explaining that such attacks can operate even when devices appear inactive, silently exploiting system resources. He noted that PKCERT is actively responding to a wide range of evolving cyber threats through technical coordination and national-level incident response. Abbas emphasized that the MoU represents a genuine and practical collaboration, stating that the partnership will focus on meaningful research initiatives while creating opportunities for university students to gain exposure to real-world cyber challenges and contribute to strengthening Pakistan’s cyber ecosystem.
Under the MoU, both institutions will cooperate in areas including joint research, expert exchanges, training and capacity-building initiatives, internships, and cybersecurity awareness programs. The partnership aims to bridge the gap between policy formulation and technical implementation, contributing to Pakistan’s long-term cyber resilience and secure digital future.
Both institutions reaffirmed commitment to ensure that the partnership remains productive and impactful. The collaboration would generate actionable research, strengthen institutional capacity, and contribute meaningfully to Pakistan’s long-term cyber resilience and secure digital future.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
