I had the privilege of participating as a panelist in the 5th International Conference on Cyber Threat Intelligence 2022, held at the Marriott, Islamabad. This prestigious event was organized by Total Communications in collaboration with the Government of Pakistan, focusing on the evolving landscape of cyber threats and the pivotal role of Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs).
Session Overview: “Role of CERTs”
In this session, esteemed panelists and I explored the critical functions and contributions of CERTs in the cybersecurity ecosystem. The discussion was enriched by the diverse perspectives and expertise of the following distinguished individuals:
- Mr. Muhammad Babar Khan – Director IG & CS, Ministry of IT & Telecom. His insights into governmental cybersecurity policies and their impact on national security were invaluable.
- Mr. Khawaja Mohammad Ali – Head of Technology Strategy, Risk & Governance at the National Bank of Pakistan, and Cyber Warfare Subject Matter Expert, Department of Defence & Strategic Studies. His expertise provided a strategic view on how financial institutions and defense sectors collaborate to counter cyber threats.
- Mr. Imran Rasheed – Chief Information Security Officer at Punjab Safe City Authority. His discussion on practical applications of cybersecurity measures in smart city projects highlighted the real-world challenges and solutions.
- Prof. Dr. Muazzam Ali Khan Khattak – Professor, Department of Computer Science. His academic perspective offered a deeper understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of cyber threat intelligence.
- Rafay Baloch – Cybersecurity Researcher and Analyst. His contributions added a fresh and innovative perspective on emerging cyber threats.
Discussion Highlights
The panel delved into various aspects of cyber threat intelligence, including:
- The Evolution of Cyber Threats: How CERTs adapt to the rapidly changing landscape of cyber threats and their role in proactive threat mitigation.
- Collaboration and Coordination: The importance of inter-agency and international collaboration to enhance the effectiveness of CERTs.
- Future Trends: Emerging trends in cybersecurity and the anticipated role of CERTs in addressing these challenges.
The session fostered a rich exchange of ideas, offering valuable insights into the strategic, operational, and technical roles of CERTs in modern cybersecurity efforts. It was a significant opportunity to contribute to the global discourse on improving cyber resilience and safeguarding critical digital infrastructures.
