Ufone and Telenor Pakistan partnered with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to host a workshop on strengthening cybersecurity across increasingly interconnected telecom networks.
The executive knowledge-sharing session, titled “Zero Trust in a Hyperconnected Telecom Environment”, took place at the operators’ headquarters, according to an October 22 statement.
Regulator representatives, telecom industry leaders, cybersecurity professionals, academics and technical stakeholders from related sectors attended. Discussions focused on practical security measures as networks connect more users, systems, services and third-party organisations.
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Experts highlighted the need to move beyond reliance on traditional perimeter-based security controls. They emphasised verifying access, improving access governance and managing privileged accounts to protect critical telecom infrastructure.
Mukarram Khan, director general of PTA Cyber Vigilance, delivered the opening remarks. Technical sessions followed on evolving telecom threats, implementing Zero Trust and sustaining it as an ongoing security approach.
The Ufone and Telenor Pakistan Cybersecurity Team led knowledge-sharing sessions demonstrating its expertise and delivery capabilities, the statement said. Industry and security expert Tauseef Aslam delivered keynote addresses, alongside contributions from other industry leaders and cybersecurity professionals.
An audience question-and-answer session and interactive knowledge quiz followed the presentations. These activities gave participants opportunities to exchange perspectives and share practical experience.
Speakers stressed that telecom cybersecurity requires cooperation among regulators, operators and the wider industry. They described Zero Trust as a continuing security process rather than a standalone product or one-time technology deployment.
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That process involves verifying access, applying appropriate controls and adapting as networks, technologies and threats change.
The approach aligns with guidance from the US National Institute of Standards and Technology, or NIST. Its Zero Trust Architecture publication says organisations should not automatically trust users or devices because of their location or ownership.
In practice, a connection from inside an organisation’s network does not, by itself, establish that access is safe. NIST’s framework requires authentication and authorisation before establishing access to enterprise resources.
Shan ul Haq, chief corporate affairs officer at Ufone and Telenor Pakistan, said collaboration would help strengthen the industry’s understanding.
“As telecom networks become more interconnected, building trust into how users, devices and systems access services is increasingly important. Through this workshop, Ufone & Telenor Pakistan and PTA brought industry stakeholders together to exchange practical experience and strengthen our collective understanding of Zero Trust. Collaboration and continuous improvement are essential to building a more secure and resilient telecom ecosystem.”
The operators reaffirmed their commitment to cybersecurity and secure, resilient telecom services. They also pledged constructive engagement with PTA and industry stakeholders to support uninterrupted connectivity and digital services.
According to the statement, the exchange aimed to increase cybersecurity awareness and encourage informed industry dialogue. Its intended outcomes include stronger security practices, better access governance and more resilient interconnected telecom infrastructure.
The workshop placed particular emphasis on maintaining those practices over time as the sector’s security requirements evolve.
