The Digital Pakistan Cybersecurity Hackathon 2023, in its third edition, has been officially launched in Karachi by Ignite, a state-owned non-profit company. This event, designed to promote and challenge cybersecurity skills, will extend beyond Karachi to include regional rounds in key cities like Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, Quetta, and Islamabad.
The culmination of the hackathon will be a final competition in Islamabad scheduled for the end of December, where the top-performing teams will be recognized with cash awards totaling Rs3 million.
Dr. Umar Saif, the Caretaker Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecom, emphasized the paramount importance of safeguarding the nation’s cyber boundaries.
He underscored the ongoing efforts within the ministry to identify and nurture talented individuals capable of thwarting malicious cyber attempts, recognizing the crucial role of cybersecurity in today’s digital landscape.
The event was attended by Ignite CEO Asim Shahryar Husain and featured a series of five-day hands-on training workshops conducted in ten cities across Pakistan.
The goal of these workshops was to enhance the capabilities of cybersecurity students and professionals in preparation for the hackathons. The comprehensive training covered a wide array of cybersecurity topics, including fundamental security principles, penetration testing methodologies, web application security, network security, social engineering, wireless network security, cloud security, mobile device security, and incident response.
This initiative not only serves as a platform for fostering cybersecurity talent but also aligns with the broader national strategy to fortify the digital infrastructure and resilience against cyber threats. The emphasis on training and competition reflects the proactive approach taken to address the evolving challenges in the digital realm and ensure a secure and robust cyberspace for Pakistan.
