National CERT and UNICEF Pakistan have announced a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening child online protection across the country. By combining advanced cybersecurity expertise with global child protection experience, the collaboration seeks to address the unique risks and challenges children face in the digital world.
As internet access expands in Pakistan, more children are going online than ever before. This partnership reflects a shared understanding that protecting young users must be a central part of the country’s broader cybersecurity strategy. The initiative is designed to embed child-focused safety measures into national digital policy, ensuring children can explore and benefit from online spaces without exposure to harm.
Through this collaboration, National CERT and UNICEF Pakistan will develop and implement a comprehensive approach to online safety for children. Efforts will focus on creating robust national protocols to manage threats targeting minors, enhancing digital literacy, and increasing awareness of online safety among children, parents, educators, and caregivers. A key element of the partnership involves building technical and community capacity to recognize, report, and respond to emerging online risks.
The alliance represents a significant step in cross-sector cooperation, acknowledging that cybersecurity is not only a technical domain but also a social responsibility. National CERT contributes deep technical knowledge and policy leadership in cybersecurity, while UNICEF Pakistan brings decades of experience in child protection and social development. By working together, the two organizations aim to develop locally relevant, evidence-based programs that prioritize the well-being and safety of children online.
At the heart of this partnership is the belief that children deserve safe, empowering, and enriching online experiences. The collaboration will support integrating cyber resilience and online protection measures into Pakistan’s existing child protection frameworks. This includes delivering educational resources for schools, offering training for families, and developing support systems for reporting and managing cyber incidents affecting minors.
As Pakistan continues its rapid digital transformation, this proactive approach underscores the importance of ensuring that digital growth goes hand in hand with safety. By aligning national cybersecurity efforts with international child protection standards, National CERT and UNICEF Pakistan are taking meaningful steps toward creating a secure, inclusive, and resilient digital environment for the country’s youngest and most vulnerable users.
