ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan and the National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bolster cybersecurity efforts within the nation’s higher education sector. This agreement aims to enhance the ability of higher education institutions to prevent, detect, and respond to cyber threats.

According to Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, the collaboration will establish the Pakistan Education & Research Network (PERN) and HEC as the Education Sector Computer Emergency Response Team (EduCERT). This initiative is designed to create a coordinated cybersecurity mechanism for universities and higher education institutions, focusing on increased cyber preparedness and information sharing.

The MoU was signed by Dr. Zia Ul Haq, Executive Director of HEC, and Dr. Mehreen Afzal, Director of Governance, Risk and Compliance at National CERT. The signing was witnessed by Chairman HEC Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, Director General National CERT Dr. Haider Abbas, and other senior representatives from both organizations.

Chairman HEC Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar highlighted the necessity of robust cybersecurity measures to protect digital infrastructure within academic institutions. He stressed the importance of coordinated actions and timely information exchange to effectively counter evolving cyber threats, noting that the creation of EduCERT will enable universities to enhance their cybersecurity readiness.

EduCERT, through PERN, will act as a central cybersecurity platform for Pakistan’s higher education sector, facilitating threat monitoring, incident coordination, and security awareness. It will enable universities to share threat intelligence and best practices, contributing to a more cohesive national cybersecurity strategy.

The partnership underscores the commitment of HEC and National CERT to fostering a resilient and cybersecurity-conscious educational environment. It also aims to strengthen Pakistan’s sectoral CERT framework and improve the higher education sector’s ability to tackle emerging cyber threats.