ISLAMABAD, Dec 12 (APP): Prominent cybersecurity researcher Rafay Baloch has urged Pakistani youth to build strong technical foundations and adopt globally recognised certifications to compete in the rapidly expanding cyber industry, as ethical hacking is no longer a niche discipline but a critical component of modern digital safety.
In an exclusive interview with APP here, he explained that the concept of hacking is neutral and becomes harmful only when associated with malicious motivations. He said the public often views hacking through a negative lens due to cybercrimes, financial fraud and identity theft, but ethical hacking aims to identify vulnerabilities before criminal actors exploit them.
“The methods may be similar, but the intent defines whether a hacker is securing a system or attempting to harm it,” he said and highlighted the broad categories of hackers, including black-hat, white-hat and grey-hat.
He emphasised that ethical hackers follow legal frameworks and responsible disclosure practices. He said the first step towards cybersecurity proficiency is curiosity, which drives individuals to understand how systems function internally and how they can be breached. He noted that persistence remains equally essential, as hacking is a highly challenging, technical field.
Commenting on education pathways, he said many globally renowned hackers did not come from formal computer science backgrounds but relied on self-learning, experimentation and community engagement. “With modern tools such as large language models and AI-assisted programming, the barriers for beginners have significantly decreased, enabling students without deep coding knowledge to pursue cybersecurity roles, he maintained.
He said that practical exposure through online labs, exercises and challenges is far more valuable than relying solely on textbooks.
Rafay cautioned against a common trend in which students shift rapidly from one technology field to another, such as blockchain, AI, and cybersecurity, without genuine interest. He advised aspiring professionals to choose a specialisation based on passion rather than hype, as long-term success requires sustained commitment.
Among in-demand roles, he cited penetration testing, bug hunting, cloud security and mobile application security as areas offering strong career prospects. He said certifications such as OSCP, CISSP, CISA and CREST are widely respected internationally and often serve as key differentiators for job applicants.
These certifications, coupled with hands-on experience, help candidates stand out in competitive global markets, he said, adding that new regulatory frameworks, including SOC 2 and GDPR compliance standards, have increased the global demand for offensive security testing. Discussing cybercrime, Rafay said Pakistan’s laws, including PECA, impose strict penalties for unauthorised access and data modification.
He urged young learners to avoid illegal attempts and instead practice through safe platforms such as TryHackMe, HackTheBox and Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions. Bug bounty programmes, he noted, offer legal protection through safe-harbour clauses, allowing researchers to identify and report vulnerabilities responsibly.
Concluding his remarks, he said Pakistan’s cybersecurity landscape is evolving, but academic institutions must align curricula with global industry standards.
He called for stronger collaboration between universities, technology companies and government agencies to enhance skills training and equip youth to meet modern cyber challenges.
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