MoU inked to strengthen cybersecurity initiatives

SECP, NTC team up to build secure, efficient digital infrastructure

ISLAMABAD:

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and the National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance information sharing and cooperation, with a focus on bolstering cybersecurity initiatives.

The signing ceremony was held at the NTC headquarters and was attended by NTC Managing Director Major General (Retd) Ali Farhan, SECP Commissioner Mujtaba Ahmed Lodhi and other senior officers.

The MoU establishes a framework for bilateral cooperation in several key areas of mutual interest. These initiatives include promoting joint deliberation on emerging cybersecurity threats, trends and mitigation strategies; exchanging technical insights and best practices to enhance cybersecurity; and advancing digitalisation efforts to facilitate businesses and users.

Furthermore, the collaboration will focus on capacity building for threat detection and response, research and innovation in cybersecurity technologies, and the improvement of audit and compliance related to standards like ISO 27001.

It also covers capacity building for emergency response and cyber incident handling as well as collaboration on the establishment and functioning of sector-specific CERTs (Computer Emergency Response Teams) in line with national rules.

Speaking on the occasion, NTC Managing Director Ali Farhan highlighted the corporation's successful collaborations across various sectors, noting that such partnerships were essential for building a secure and efficient digital infrastructure.

"By leveraging our collective strengths, we can not only optimise service delivery but also ensure that critical data and infrastructure remain protected from unauthorised access and exploitation," he emphasised.