KARACHI: Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunications, has announced that Pakistan has been recognized as Top Tier-1 (Role Modeling) of ITU Global Cyber Security Index (GCI-V5) 2024. Reflected progress. Strengthening cybersecurity and resilience.
Speaking at an event titled ‘Digital Pakistan Cybersecurity Hackathon 2024’ which was officially launched here on Wednesday, she said this milestone was achieved through dedication by stakeholders across government, industry, academia and law enforcement. He said that this is proof of his hard work.
She said the government wants to make Pakistan an information technology hub.
Organized by Ignite under the auspices of the Ministry of IT and Communications, this flagship event will see 521 teams from across Pakistan compete in a cybersecurity challenge aimed at discovering, developing and promoting local talent in this critical sector. It marks the beginning of the series. .
“Digital Pakistan Cybersecurity Hackathon 2024” officially starts
Mr. Khawaja also expressed his gratitude to all the participants, partner organizations and organizers who contributed to the success of the Karachi launch.
She said events like Digital Pakistan Cybersecurity Hackathon help develop an ecosystem of innovation and collaboration in cybersecurity.
IT and Telecom Secretary Zaral Hasham Khan highlighted the ministry’s commitment to developing national cybersecurity expertise and capabilities.
Khan said the Ministry of IT and Telecommunications continues to resolutely pursue efforts to support cybersecurity talent development and innovation across the country.
He said events like cybersecurity hackathons help foster a secure digital environment while providing important skills and opportunities for young cybersecurity professionals.
“Through initiatives like this, we not only build a skilled workforce but also a resilient digital infrastructure that is the backbone of Pakistan’s digital future.
Ignite CEO Adeel Aijaz Shaikh highlighted the organization’s role in establishing hackathons as a national brand for cybersecurity talent discovery and workforce preparation.
He said the Digital Pakistan Cybersecurity Hackathon has become a unique national platform for developing cybersecurity expertise in Pakistan.
“This year, we conducted cybersecurity awareness sessions and practical training workshops in 16 cities, resulting in over 3,000 individuals completing practical cybersecurity training. Launch event in Karachi represents our vision to develop a future-ready cybersecurity workforce that will protect Pakistan’s digital borders,” Shaikh said.
Published at Dawn on October 31, 2024
