Islamabad

The government of Pakistan has introduced stricter cybersecurity regulations governing professionals working in IT, cloud, and operational technology (OT) sectors, in a move aimed at strengthening national digital defenses.

New Framework for Cybersecurity Experts

The reforms, introduced by the National Computer Emergency Response Team Pakistan, establish a structured system for registering cybersecurity consultants under the Pakistan Information Security Framework (PISF).

Under the new rules, professionals will be required to meet defined standards to provide consultancy, audit readiness, and compliance services across organizations.

Tier-Based Classification Introduced

Cybersecurity experts will now be categorized into four tiers:

• Expert
• Senior
• Junior
• Domain specialists (IT, cloud, OT)

Each category comes with specific experience and certification requirements, with top-tier experts expected to hold global certifications such as CISSP and CISM.

Mandatory Compliance for High-Risk Entities

Organizations have also been divided into risk categories. High-risk entities (CAT-I and CAT-II) will be required to hire Expert-level consultants to handle security audits and compliance processes.

Lower-risk organizations will have more flexible requirements but must still adhere to structured cybersecurity practices.

Focus on Audit Readiness and Risk Management

Registered professionals will be responsible for:

• Conducting security gap assessments
• Developing implementation roadmaps
• Assisting in compliance audits
• Supporting vulnerability testing and risk mitigation

The move aims to improve preparedness against cyber threats and ensure organizations meet evolving security standards.

Strengthening Pakistan’s Cyber Defenses

Officials say the initiative is part of broader efforts to enhance Pakistan’s cybersecurity posture amid rising digital threats and increased reliance on cloud and IT infrastructure.

Analysts believe the regulations could bring greater accountability and professionalism to the cybersecurity sector, while also aligning Pakistan with international best practices.