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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ISLAMABAD, Dec 12 (APP): After an extended period of dry weather that has persisted through the early winter months, mirroring drought patterns seen in recent years, Pakistan is finally set to receive much-needed precipitation this weekend, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).
A shallow western disturbance approached the western regions of the country on Friday bringing with it the promise of rain and snowfall across multiple provinces.
The Met Office forecasts light to moderate rain and thunderstorms in the plains, with snowfall expected over hilly areas from December 13 to 15. The precipitation will bring relief to regions that have been gripped by unusually dry conditions during what is typically a wetter period.
Light to moderate rain and thunderstorm accompanied by snowfall over the hills is expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Malakand, Manshera, Abbottabad, Haripur, and Bunner from December 13 to 15 with occasional gaps.
The same weather pattern will affect Gilgit-Baltistan including Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, and Shigar during this period. Kashmir areas including Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, and Haveli are similarly expected to receive light to moderate rainfall and snowfall over the hills between December 13 and 15 with occasional gaps.
Partly cloudy to cloudy conditions with light rain and snowfall are expected in Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, and Waziristan on December 14 and 15. The same weather pattern will affect Quetta, Ziarat, Zhob, Sherani, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, and Noushki during this timeframe. There are chances of drizzle in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, and the Potohar region, while light rain and light snow is expected in Murree and Galliyat on Sunday and Monday.
From the night of December 12 through December 16, moderate and at times dense foggy conditions are likely to develop over plain areas of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and upper Sindh. These foggy conditions may reduce visibility significantly and disrupt traffic over motorways and highways, and the public is advised to remain cautious during this period.
The Met Office has indicated that another western disturbance is likely to influence western and upper parts of the country from December 19, suggesting that the current dry spell may finally be coming to an end with multiple weather systems on the horizon.
The rain will also help reduce effects smog which is causing serious consequences for those having allergies.
Snowfall may cause road closures and slippery conditions in Naran, Kaghan, Kalam, Malam Jabba, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Quetta, Ziarat, and Chaman during the forecast period. There is also a possibility of landslides in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan during this period. Tourists and travelers visiting mountainous areas are advised to remain cautious during the forecast period.
Day temperatures are likely to drop during the forecast period, adding to the winter chill that has already set in across northern regions. Farmers are advised to manage their activities keeping in view the latest weather forecast to protect crops and adjust irrigation schedules accordingly.
After weeks of concerning dry conditions that have characterized the initial months of winter following several years of similar dry weather patterns, this weekend’s weather system offers hope for replenishing water resources and providing relief to both agricultural communities and regions dependent on snowmelt for their water supply in the coming months. The breaking of this prolonged dry spell could prove crucial for water availability and agricultural productivity in the affected regions as winter progresses.