Pakistan’s National Cyber Emergency Response Team, National CERT, has formalized a strategic collaboration with global cybersecurity solutions provider Group-IB during Black Hat MEA 2025. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Dr. Haider Abbas, TI, Director General of National CERT, and Ashraf Koheil, Vice President META and ANZ at Group-IB, underscoring Pakistan’s commitment to advancing national cyber resilience and preparedness. The partnership aims to strengthen Pakistan’s cybersecurity posture by combining National CERT’s authority in domestic cyber operations with Group-IB’s expertise in threat intelligence and digital fraud prevention.
Under the MoU, the two organizations will collaborate closely on national cyber incident response, enabling timely detection and mitigation of threats targeting critical infrastructure. Efforts will focus on deploying advanced digital fraud prevention mechanisms and increasing visibility into sophisticated cyber activities affecting government agencies, private sector institutions, and essential services. This approach is expected to enhance the nation’s ability to anticipate, respond to, and manage cyber risks with greater efficiency while fostering a more secure environment for online operations.
Beyond operational support, the agreement outlines joint research and development initiatives aimed at understanding emerging cyber threats and creating innovative solutions to counter them. Collaborative cybercrime investigations, threat attribution studies, and specialized capacity-building programs will form a key component of the partnership. By sharing knowledge, technical expertise, and operational experience, National CERT and Group-IB intend to enhance Pakistan’s overall cybersecurity ecosystem, strengthening technical capabilities and public-private cooperation against evolving global cyber threats.
National CERT emphasized that the collaboration is aligned with the broader vision of ensuring a safe and resilient digital environment for citizens, businesses, and institutions across Pakistan. By integrating threat intelligence, incident response, and fraud prevention capabilities, the partnership provides a framework for proactive and adaptive cybersecurity strategies. Officials from both organizations highlighted that continuous collaboration, innovation, and skill development will be central to enhancing national cyber readiness and mitigating risks in an increasingly interconnected digital landscape. The MoU marks a significant step forward in reinforcing Pakistan’s capacity to address cyber challenges while promoting stronger security practices across the country.
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