Pakistan’s cybersecurity ecosystem rarely produces names that command both national policy influence and international recognition. Jawad Khalid Mirza is one of the few exceptions.
With over 20 years of hands-on leadership across the financial, telecommunication and Public sectors — spanning Pakistan and Saudi Arabia — Mirza has spent two decades doing what most can only theorize about: actually building cyber-resilient organizations from the ground up.
A Seat at the National Table
In a move that signals the government’s intent to bridge the gap between policy and practice, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) has formally nominated Mirza — currently serving as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Askari Bank — as a Member of the newly forming National CERT Council.
The council is a cornerstone of Pakistan’s National Cyber Security Policy 2021, which envisions a national Computer Emergency Response Team (nCERT) supported by a network of specialized Sectoral CERTs. Mirza joins as an industry representative, responsible for contributing to the consultative and advisory functions that will define how Pakistan responds to cyber threats at a national scale.
Not Just a Practitioner — An Ecosystem Builder
What sets Mirza apart from peers is his commitment to community-building. His footprint extends well beyond his day job:
- Chairman, Cyber Security Forum — Pakistan Banks Association (PBA)
- Member FinCERT Committee, State Bank of Pakistan
- Co-Founder — CISO Forum Pakistan
- Board Member — National Center for Cyber Security (NCCS) Research Fund Evaluation & Africa Cyber Defense Forum (ACDF)
These aren’t ceremonial titles. Together, they represent a deliberate effort to create the kind of cybersecurity community Pakistan has long needed — one where practitioners share intelligence, raise standards, and develop the next generation of talent.
Global Recognition, Local Impact
In 2023, Mirza was named “CISO of the Year” — an international recognition that reflects both his personal accomplishments and the growing stature of Pakistani cybersecurity professionals on the world stage.
Shill lol
Blowing your own trumpet isn’t going to work
Uthanay ki b hadd hoti hai