𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗧 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗖𝗖𝗦 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝗨 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻’𝘀 𝗖𝘆𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸

𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗱, 𝗣𝗮𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻 – The National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT) and the National Center for Cyber Security Pakistan (NCCS) at Air University have formalized a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing Pakistan's cybersecurity ecosystem. The partnership underscores a shared commitment to bridging the gap between academia and industry by fostering research, innovation, and capacity-building in cybersecurity. It is poised to address critical national and international cybersecurity challenges through collaborative research and tailored solutions.

The MoU ceremony witnessed the presence of esteemed representatives from both organizations, including senior leadership and cybersecurity experts. Dr. Haider Abbas, TI, DG National CERT, led the delegation from National CERT, while NCCS was represented by Dr Ammar Masood, Director NCSS, and Air Marshal Abdul Moeed Khan, HI(M), Vice Chancellor Air University, alongside other key officials.

The partnership will prioritize joint research and development, focusing on innovative cybersecurity solutions that meet national needs while encouraging their commercialization. It will also emphasize training aspiring professionals and NCCS researchers through industry-aligned programs, certifications, and internships. To foster cyber resilience, national and international workshops, seminars, and hackathons will be organized, alongside knowledge-sharing initiatives to exchange best practices and trends between academia and industry. Furthermore, the collaboration will support the development of advanced academic curricula and final-year projects that emphasize practical applications.

The National CERT will provide structured training programs and access to industry experts to enhance the skills of NCCS researchers, while NCCS will lead cutting-edge R&D efforts leveraging its state-of-the-art labs and expertise. Together, both organizations will ensure the deployment of cybersecurity solutions and best practices across governmental and private sectors, strengthening the nation’s cyber defense framework.

This strategic alliance represents a significant step towards building a resilient cybersecurity framework in Pakistan. By integrating the strengths of academia and industry, the partnership aims to create a highly skilled cybersecurity workforce capable of addressing the evolving landscape of cyber threats. Together, National CERT and NCCS are dedicated to fostering innovation and reinforcing national cybersecurity capabilities, contributing to a secure and prosperous digital future for Pakistan.