techend
By Tanveer Ahmed
ISLAMABAD : Leading national and international experts gathered at the Serena Hotel today for the Annual Cyber Security Conference, where they warned that rapidly evolving digital threats are creating unprecedented challenges for governments, businesses and citizens across Pakistan.
The conference brought together policymakers, security analysts, technology firms, law-enforcement officials, researchers and media professionals to discuss how Pakistan can strengthen its cyber resilience amid rising incidents of data breaches, online fraud, ransomware attacks and misinformation campaigns.
Speakers highlighted that cybercrime in Pakistan has grown sharply in the past two years, driven by increased digital adoption, weak security protocols and sophisticated attack methods. Several experts noted that critical sectors including finance, telecom, energy and public services remain particularly vulnerable.
Presentations throughout the day focused on a range of high-priority themes: the need for stronger national cyber governance, investment in cybersecurity infrastructure, public-private cooperation, and continuous workforce training. Specialists also emphasised the growing role of artificial intelligence — both as a tool for defence and a weapon increasingly used by malicious actors.
Addressing the conference, senior officials called for a unified, long-term strategy to enhance Pakistan’s cybersecurity posture. They stressed that cyber threats are no longer limited to technical breaches but have become a national security issue with the potential to disrupt essential services and undermine public trust.
Industry representatives showcased emerging solutions, including AI-based threat detection systems, secure cloud frameworks, encryption technologies and incident-response platforms designed specifically for local organisations. Start-ups also participated, presenting innovative ideas to bridge security gaps across small and medium-sized enterprises.
Participants agreed that awareness remains one of the biggest challenges. Despite improved digital literacy, a large percentage of the population still lacks understanding of basic cyber hygiene, enabling attackers to exploit simple vulnerabilities. Experts urged organisations to conduct regular training, enforce strong password policies, and adopt multi-factor authentication as standard practice.
The event concluded with a call for greater collaboration among government institutions, academia and the private sector to build a safer digital ecosystem. Organisers announced that next year’s edition will expand further, with a focus on regional cooperation and cross-border cyber security frameworks.
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