The National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT) hosted Fahd Batayneh, Stakeholder Engagement Director for the Middle East at the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), for an official engagement aimed at enhancing Pakistan’s cyber infrastructure, particularly in the domain name system (DNS) and collaborative Internet governance. Fahd Batayneh was accompanied by Zakir Syed, Director of Internet Governance at the Ministry of IT and Telecom Pakistan (MoITT), underscoring the importance of multistakeholder collaboration in building a secure digital environment.
During the visit, Dr. Muhammad Yousaf, Director of National CERT, introduced the operational and strategic framework of the CERT, highlighting the importance of proactive approaches to managing cyber threats. The session featured a robust technical exchange focused on strengthening DNS infrastructure and defending against various cyber incidents such as DNS amplification attacks, cache poisoning, and domain hijacking. These types of threats continue to pose significant challenges to global cybersecurity, and discussions emphasized the need for continuous vigilance and collaborative responses.
The interaction also shed light on National CERT’s efforts to build national capacity and improve incident response mechanisms. Dr. Yousaf outlined ongoing initiatives designed to enhance technical expertise and coordination among stakeholders. These include simulations, incident response drills, and public-private collaboration to create a resilient national cybersecurity posture.
As a global authority on managing the system of unique Internet identifiers, ICANN has long been central to the maintenance of a stable and secure global Internet. The visit provided an opportunity to align Pakistan’s national strategies with international standards and explore avenues for deeper engagement with ICANN. The mutual interest in collaborative action was evident, as both sides discussed ways to enhance joint initiatives in DNS security, Internet governance frameworks, and policy advocacy across the region.
The dialogue marked a meaningful step in fostering mutual understanding between National CERT and ICANN on issues related to DNS protection and the secure operation of Internet services in Pakistan. The importance of integrating local expertise with global experience was echoed throughout the discussions. Both parties expressed their commitment to maintaining a secure and interoperable Internet infrastructure, benefiting not only Pakistan but also contributing to broader regional and global cybersecurity resilience.
The engagement concluded with a shared vision of future cooperation between ICANN and National CERT, especially in areas like capacity building, secure Internet architecture, and stakeholder awareness. The visit highlighted the need for constant exchange of best practices, trust-building, and global collaboration in the face of ever-evolving cyber threats. As Pakistan strengthens its digital capabilities, such engagements are vital to ensuring that national entities stay aligned with global governance standards and evolving cybersecurity protocols.
