SECP launches Security Operations Center to strengthen cybersecurity

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has launched its Security Operations Center (SOC) to protect critical information assets, detect cyber threats at an early stage and enable timely incident response, strengthening the regulator’s cybersecurity and operational resilience, read a statement on Tuesday.

The SOC will provide continuous monitoring of SECP’s networks, endpoints, servers and private cloud environments, read a statement.

Funded by Karandaaz Pakistan, as the implementing agency for the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), enabled by Inara Technologies, Pakistan, and supported by REWTERZ under a Managed Security Services Provider agreement, the centre will operate in line with recognised international standards and best practices.

Chairman of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), Lieutenant General Muhammad Munir Afsar, inaugurated the SOC and appreciated SECP’s initiative, emphasising the importance of cybersecurity.

During a separate meeting, SECP Chairman Dr Kabir Ahmed Sidhu briefed the NADRA chairman on the commission’s IT reforms, infrastructure modernisation, and adoption of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies to improve service delivery and facilitate ease of doing business.

SECP also plans to integrate the Security Operations Centers of Capital Markets Institutions (CMIs) into a sector-wide framework for threat intelligence sharing and coordinated incident response, supporting the regulator’s envisioned role as a Sectoral Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Sectoral SOC.