Pakistan Joins Asia Pacific Cyber Response Network

The Pakistan National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT) has secured Operational Membership of the Asia Pacific Computer Emergency Response Team (APCERT) following formal approval by its Steering Committee.

The development marks a major step in Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen national and regional cybersecurity cooperation and align its incident response framework with international standards.

APCERT is a regional platform that brings together Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) and Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs) from across the Asia-Pacific region. The forum focuses on coordinated incident response, threat intelligence sharing, joint cyber drills, and capacity building.

Through this membership, National CERT will participate in coordinated responses to cross-border cyber incidents, collaborative exercises, structured information exchange, and technical knowledge-sharing initiatives. The move is expected to enhance Pakistan’s cyber resilience, expand its global partnerships, and reinforce its role in promoting a secure and stable cyberspace.

National CERT (PKCERT) was formally announced by the Government of Pakistan on March 11, 2024, following the approval of the CERT Rules 2023. It serves as the country’s centralized authority for protecting cyberspace and critical infrastructure from cyber threats and large-scale digital attacks.

PKCERT provides services including incident management, security audits for critical infrastructure, digital forensics and malware analysis, cybersecurity advisories, and multi-tier capacity-building programs. It also runs initiatives such as CyberNest, internship programs, and research fellowships to strengthen local expertise.

In addition, the body oversees the integration of provincial and sectoral CERTs, including the National Telecom CERT operated by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, to ensure a coordinated national cybersecurity framework.