SECP Launches Security Operations Centre to Strengthen Cybersecurity

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has launched a Security Operations Centre (SOC) to strengthen cybersecurity, protect critical information assets and improve its ability to detect and respond to cyber threats.

The new centre will enable continuous monitoring of the Commission’s digital infrastructure, help identify potential threats early, and support timely responses to security incidents.

NADRA Chairman Inaugurates Security Operations Centre

Chairman of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), Lieutenant General Muhammad Munir Afsar, inaugurated the SOC and appreciated SECP’s initiative. He also highlighted the importance of cybersecurity in protecting critical information and strengthening institutional resilience.

SECP Chairman Dr Kabir Ahmed Sidhu, Commissioners Imtiaz Haider, Muzaffar Ahmed Mirza and Zeeshan Khattak, along with other senior officials, attended the inauguration ceremony.

SOC to Monitor Networks and Digital Infrastructure

The Security Operations Centre will provide continuous monitoring of SECP’s networks, endpoints, servers and private cloud environments. This will help the Commission identify suspicious activities, improve threat detection and strengthen incident response capabilities.

Karandaaz Pakistan funded the initiative as the implementing agency for the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Inara Technologies, Pakistan, enabled the project, while REWTERZ is supporting the centre under a Managed Security Services Provider agreement.

The SOC will operate in line with recognised international standards and cybersecurity best practices to strengthen the protection of SECP’s information systems.

SECP Advances IT Reforms and AI Adoption

During a separate meeting, SECP Chairman Dr Kabir Ahmed Sidhu briefed the NADRA chairman on the Commission’s ongoing information technology reforms, infrastructure modernisation and adoption of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

The initiatives aim to improve service delivery, modernise operations and facilitate ease of doing business through more efficient digital systems.

SECP Plans Sector-Wide Cybersecurity Collaboration

SECP also plans to integrate the Security Operations Centres of Capital Markets Institutions (CMIs) into a sector-wide framework for sharing threat intelligence and coordinating responses to cyber incidents.

The proposed framework is intended to strengthen cooperation among capital markets institutions and improve the industry’s collective ability to respond to cybersecurity threats.

The initiative also supports SECP’s envisioned role as a Sectoral Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Sectoral SOC, helping build a more coordinated and resilient cybersecurity environment across Pakistan’s capital markets.