Ufone and Telenor Pakistan, in collaboration with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), have hosted an executive cybersecurity workshop to discuss ways to protect Pakistan’s increasingly interconnected telecommunications networks. Titled “Zero Trust in a Hyperconnected Telecom Environment,” the knowledge-sharing session was held at the companies’ headquarters and brought together regulatory representatives, telecom industry leaders, cybersecurity professionals, academics and technical stakeholders. The workshop focused on emerging security challenges as telecom networks become more connected with users, devices, applications, services and third-party systems. Participants discussed the need to move beyond traditional security models that rely primarily on protecting a network perimeter and adopt approaches that verify access, manage permissions and protect critical infrastructure. The initiative highlighted the importance of collaboration between telecom operators and regulators as digital connectivity becomes increasingly important for businesses, public services and consumers across Pakistan.
The workshop opened with remarks from Mukarram Khan, Director General Cyber Vigilance at PTA, followed by technical sessions examining emerging telecom threats, practical Zero Trust implementation and the need to maintain security measures as networks and technologies evolve. The sessions highlighted the cybersecurity capabilities of the Ufone and Telenor Pakistan team and included keynote contributions from industry and security expert Tauseef Aslam, alongside other industry professionals. Participants discussed how organisations can improve access governance, control privileged accounts and ensure that users and devices are appropriately verified before gaining access to sensitive systems. These measures are particularly relevant to telecom operators, whose infrastructure supports large volumes of communications and digital services. The event also included a question-and-answer session and an interactive knowledge quiz, allowing attendees to exchange experiences and discuss practical security challenges facing the sector.
Zero Trust is a cybersecurity approach based on the principle that no user, device or system should automatically be trusted simply because it is connected to an organisation’s network. Instead, access must be verified according to established security policies, and permissions should be limited to what is necessary. The approach can involve identity verification, device checks, continuous monitoring and tighter controls over administrative accounts. For telecom companies, these practices can help reduce risks associated with compromised credentials, unauthorised access and vulnerabilities across interconnected systems. The workshop also emphasised that Zero Trust is not a single product or a one-time technology deployment. It requires ongoing assessment, updates to access policies and adaptation to changing threats. As telecom operators introduce new services and technologies, maintaining security requires continued attention to how systems communicate and how access to critical resources is managed.
Commenting on the initiative, Shan ul Haq, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Ufone and Telenor Pakistan, said that increasing network connectivity makes it more important to build trust into how users, devices and systems access services. He highlighted the value of cooperation with PTA and industry stakeholders in sharing practical experience and improving understanding of Zero Trust security. Through the workshop, Ufone and Telenor Pakistan reiterated their commitment to secure telecom services and continued engagement with the regulator and wider industry. The event also underscored that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, requiring coordination among operators, regulators, technical experts and other organisations connected to the telecom ecosystem. As Pakistan relies increasingly on mobile connectivity and digital services, industry collaboration and sustained improvements in access management will remain important for protecting network infrastructure and maintaining service continuity.
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