Had the privilege to participate as a panelist in the National Summit on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Punjab Episode, held on 18 May 2022 at the Main Auditorium, Baghdad-ul-Jadeed Campus, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur.

The summit brought together policymakers, academics, and professionals to discuss how emerging national challenges, including cybersecurity, can be aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Clarifying Cyber Security vs. Cyber Crime

During the panel discussion, I highlighted the critical distinction between cybersecurity and cybercrime, emphasizing the importance of understanding both concepts for effective policy development and national preparedness:

• Cyber security refers to the proactive measures, technologies, and practices used to protect digital systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, breaches, and attacks—ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

• Cybercrime involves illegal activities carried out through digital means, such as hacking, identity theft, cyberstalking, online fraud, and data exploitation for malicious or financial gain.

Clarifying this distinction helped frame cybersecurity not merely as a law-enforcement issue but as a strategic national development priority.

Linking Cyber Security with Sustainable Development Goals

I further discussed how strengthening cybersecurity directly contributes to achieving key SDGs:

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
Secure digital infrastructure is essential for innovation and resilient industries. Cybersecurity safeguards critical systems and enables safe technological advancement.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions
Addressing cyber threats and cybercrime strengthens institutional trust, protects digital rights, and supports justice in increasingly online governance systems.

SDG 4: Quality Education
Cybersecurity education equips students and professionals with essential skills to navigate digital environments safely, supporting inclusive and future-ready learning.

SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being
Protecting digital health records and sensitive medical data is vital for privacy, trust, and patient safety in modern healthcare systems.

Significance of Participation

This expert participation reinforced the role of cybersecurity as a cross-cutting enabler of sustainable development, highlighting the need to integrate digital safety into national policies, education frameworks, and institutional planning.