As Pakistan steps into a new fiscal year marked by rapid digital transformation and evolving cyber threats, the conversation around resilience and innovation has never been more crucial. For CSO Pakistan, this season marks a return to the drawing board, a time to engage directly with the nation’s cybersecurity leadership and technical experts to shape priorities for FY26.
The CSO Security Insights Executive Roundtable Series, hosted in partnership with Commtel, served as that very starting point. It was a strategic dialogue that brought together the country’s foremost CISOs, cybersecurity heads, and technology strategists in Islamabad and Lahore. These sessions were not just events but working forums where ideas were exchanged, alliances renewed, and the groundwork laid for Pakistan’s next phase of digital defense and enterprise resilience.
The first roundtable in Islamabad, held at Serena Hotel, convened senior executives from across banking, telecom, and public sector organizations. The discussions reflected the realities of leading cybersecurity programs in a time when artificial intelligence is reshaping both opportunity and risk. Participants explored how AI could serve as a powerful enabler for detection and defense, yet also recognized its growing potential as a threat vector. The need for policy-led adoption, certification, and national frameworks to regulate the ethical and secure use of AI featured prominently in the dialogue.
Equally important was the consensus that “security by design” must become a defining principle of Pakistan’s digital journey. Leaders emphasized that cybersecurity cannot be treated as an afterthought; it must be integrated into the DNA of every digital service, infrastructure project, and product from inception. The conversation moved naturally toward capacity building and talent development, underscoring the importance of structured academic interventions, curriculum evolution, and the creation of pathways that prepare the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
Institutions such as NADRA, HEC, and NCERT were highlighted as pivotal to this effort. Their role in developing national standards, research frameworks, and educational collaborations was seen as essential to realizing the broader Digital Nation vision. Participants also pointed to policy-level developments such as the proposed Digital Nation Act, which is expected to introduce a comprehensive structure for cybersecurity response, lifecycle management, and academic integration across the ecosystem.
Following the success of the Islamabad session, the conversation moved to Lahore, where the engagement deepened to include both leadership and operational teams from a wider range of industries. The Lahore edition provided a unique opportunity to bring together technical experts from banking, manufacturing, education, and service sectors to share practical experiences from the field. The focus here shifted from strategy to execution, addressing how organizations can strengthen their defenses through robust processes, continuous learning, and proactive threat management.
Discussions around incident response, forensic readiness, and CERT collaboration reflected a growing maturity in Pakistan’s cybersecurity community. Attendees underscored the need for a culture of awareness that extends beyond leadership into every layer of an organization. The dialogue also revisited the role of academia, where HEC’s guidance was considered vital in aligning education with real-world security demands. Ideas emerged around the development of a national threat-sharing platform that could serve as a bridge between government, academia, and industry—an essential step toward a more cohesive and responsive cybersecurity ecosystem.
Across both cities, one message was clear: the future of cybersecurity in Pakistan depends on collaboration, foresight, and shared responsibility. Artificial intelligence must be harnessed responsibly and embedded within secure design principles. Talent pipelines must be strengthened through sustained investment in education and skill-building. And at the policy level, frameworks must be aligned with operational realities to ensure agility, accountability, and readiness across sectors.
Reflecting on the momentum of these engagements, Salaina Haroon, Managing Editor of CSO Pakistan, noted that such initiatives are vital to shaping the nation’s cybersecurity narrative.
“These conversations are the foundation of a stronger cybersecurity ecosystem. By bringing together voices from leadership, policy, and academia, we are not only identifying challenges but co-creating the solutions that will define a digitally secure Pakistan.”
Adding his perspective, Asher Faisel Khan, CEO of Commtel, emphasized the importance of turning strategy into action.
“Building resilience is no longer theoretical; it is an operational imperative. Through forums like these, we aim to empower CISOs and their teams with practical insights, collaborative energy, and a unified direction toward readiness and trust.”
As CSO Pakistan marks over sixteen years of thought leadership and community building, its renewed focus on cybersecurity through CSO Security Insights signals a decisive step forward. The Islamabad and Lahore sessions have reinforced that collaboration remains Pakistan’s strongest defense, and that true digital resilience will come from leadership that listens, learns, and leads with intent. With the insights gathered from these roundtables, the stage is set for a year of purposeful action—one where technology, talent, and trust align to build a safer digital future for Pakistan.
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