Qudsia Bano

Cybersecurity specialists believe Pakistan’s financial sector has reached an inflection point where investment in security skills is no longer be optional.

Talking to WealthPK, Dr. Sana Ullah, a fintech risk consultant at UniKrew Solutions, said the recent PCI DSS training program represents more than just a compliance exercise. It is a statement of intent.   “When you see leading financial institutions coming together to receive training on a globally recognised security standard, it shows the sector is finally moving from reactive defence to proactive resilience,” he explained. 

This shift was evident during the two-day Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) capacity-building program. The training, delivered by Risk Associates in partnership with the National Institute of Banking and Finance (NIBAF Pakistan) and supported by the State Bank of Pakistan, brought together cybersecurity professionals from major banks and fintech companies.

Led by PCI Qualified Security Assessors, the sessions covered payment security architecture, cardholder data protection, and compliance lifecycle management, all of which are key requirements under PCI DSS v4.0.  For Dr. Farah Nadeem, a cyber governance specialist and former central bank advisor, the involvement of both NIBAF and the State Bank of Pakistan signals a stronger strategic commitment.   “This is not just about ticking a compliance box.

By embedding PCI DSS into the core training framework for banking professionals, Pakistan is positioning itself to meet not only the domestic security challenges but also the expectations of international financial partners.”  The program’s impact extends beyond national borders. Experts point out that as Pakistan’s digital payments market expands, particularly in cross-border transactions with the Middle East and GCC, adherence to the internationally accepted security standards will be critical for maintaining trust.   

The training also reflects the leadership role of the State Bank in promoting cybersecurity resilience and aligning Pakistan’s practices with the global push for secure digital finance.  Both Dr. Sanaullah and Dr. Nadeem believe that the real opportunity lies in building on this momentum.

With Risk Associates and NIBAF Pakistan already planning advanced training on cybersecurity governance, ISO/IEC 27001, and emerging threats, the initiative could create a pipeline of skilled professionals capable of meeting the regional and global demand.  “If Pakistan keeps investing in its people like this, we will not only be securing our systems, we will also be exporting cybersecurity expertise.”

Credit: INP-WealthPk