Pakistani artificial intelligence (AI) platform SOCByte has launched the country’s first AI-powered cybersecurity programme designed to provide critical information to professionals, said a press release seen by Dawn.com on Monday.

SOCByte — which acts as a managed security service provider for five domestic clients, as well as in the United States and Nigeria — noted in the press release that between 2023 and 2024, Pakistan fell victim to 34 million cyberattacks.

The tool, named ‘Dexter’, is a Security Operations Centre (SOC) analyst — a programme that works alongside human cybersecurity analysts to provide critical information to security professionals, the press release read.

“This milestone represents more than technological advancement; it’s a statement of Pakistan’s capability to develop indigenous cybersecurity solutions that strengthen national digital sovereignty in an era of increasing cyber warfare,” SOCByte said.

Sulaiman Asif, the founder of SOCByte, was quoted as saying, “We’re not building technology to replace our cybersecurity community, we’re building it to amplify their capabilities.

“Dexter represents what’s possible when Pakistani innovation meets global cybersecurity challenges. This is our contribution to strengthening Pakistan’s digital defence ecosystem.”

The press release stated that indigenous tools like SOCByte provide critical advantages to Pakistan, such as digital sovereignty, local threat intelligence, community building and supporting local innovation and job creation in high-value sectors.