PKCERT and Kaspersky Sign MoU to Strengthen Pakistan’s Cybersecurity Capabilities

In a significant move to enhance Pakistan’s cybersecurity landscape, the National Computer Emergency Response Team of Pakistan (PKCERT), under the Government of Pakistan, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with global cybersecurity company Kaspersky. The agreement aims to bolster Pakistan’s national cybersecurity posture through coordinated efforts in threat detection, mitigation, and prevention.

The MoU underscores a multi-pronged collaboration that includes training and awareness programs, capacity development, and the dissemination of actionable cyber threat intelligence to government institutions, businesses, academia, and civil society. By focusing on both operational readiness and workforce development, the partnership seeks to cultivate a highly skilled cybersecurity workforce aligned with national and international standards.

Key Areas of Collaboration

Under the agreement, PKCERT and Kaspersky will work together across a range of cybersecurity domains:

• Threat detection and incident response: Sharing technical information, cyber intelligence, and data feeds to respond effectively to attacks targeting citizens, businesses, and government institutions.

• Prevention and mitigation strategies: Developing frameworks to reduce the risk of ransomware, data breaches, and attacks on critical infrastructure.

• Cybersecurity education and workforce development: Conducting professional exchanges, research initiatives, and training programs to strengthen skills across the public and private sectors.

• Regulatory and legislative support: Assisting in the creation of cybersecurity policies and guidelines to safeguard national digital infrastructure.

Dr. Haider Abbas, TI, Director General of PKCERT, emphasized the importance of the collaboration:

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are vital for socio-economic development, yet they bring challenges like cyber espionage, ransomware, and attacks on critical infrastructure. Our partnership with Kaspersky represents a critical step toward strengthening national cybersecurity.

Rashed Al Momani, General Manager for the Middle East and Pakistan at Kaspersky, highlighted the global perspective:

Robust cybersecurity relies on strong public-private partnerships. Kaspersky’s collaboration with PKCERT will consolidate Pakistan’s secure digital transformation and ensure resilience against evolving cyber threats.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Eugene Kaspersky, CEO of Kaspersky, and Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Federal IT Minister, Government of Pakistan, further signaling the high-level commitment to securing Pakistan’s digital ecosystem.

Implications for Pakistan’s Cybersecurity Landscape

With Pakistan increasingly adopting digital services in government, finance, and commerce, cyber threats have grown in complexity and frequency. This partnership with Kaspersky positions PKCERT to:

• Respond more effectively to cyber incidents and attacks.
• Strengthen cybersecurity awareness among citizens and organizations.
• Develop a skilled workforce capable of handling emerging threats.
• Support the government in implementing robust cybersecurity policies and frameworks.

By combining global expertise with local insights, PKCERT and Kaspersky aim to enhance Pakistan’s cyber resilience, ensuring safer digital adoption for businesses, government, and society at large.