Lahore hosted a significant workshop on cybersecurity and data governance as part of the 44th Mid-Career Management Course (MCMC) at the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA). The session was led by Dr. Haider Abbas, TI, Director General of National CERT, who was invited to engage BS-18 career officers from the Federal and Provincial Governments, along with representatives of public sector organizations. The MCMC program serves as a mandatory component for officers aiming for promotion to BS-19, making this workshop both timely and crucial in its contribution to professional development and national security readiness.
During the workshop, Dr. Haider Abbas provided in-depth insights into the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape and the increasing importance of robust digital defense frameworks. He emphasized how public institutions must adapt to new and complex threats while building strong governance structures around IT systems. His session underlined the critical need for proactive strategies, highlighting how secure digital governance can safeguard essential operations of government entities. The discussions also explored practical measures that institutions can adopt to strengthen resilience against cyber risks, including incident preparedness, capacity building, and structured defense mechanisms.
Complementing this session, Dr. Ayesha Altaf, a distinguished trainer under the National CERT’s Distinguished Trainers Program (DTP), contributed with a specialized lecture. She enriched the workshop with a practical perspective on IT applications and cybersecurity capacity building. Her training focused on bridging the gap between policy frameworks and real-world execution, ensuring that participants gained actionable knowledge for their respective organizations. The involvement of both experts underscored the collaborative approach required to tackle cybersecurity challenges effectively in Pakistan’s public sector.
National CERT reaffirmed its commitment to fostering awareness, skill development, and collaboration among government officers. By creating an environment where cybersecurity knowledge is shared and applied, the organization aims to embed strong digital defense practices within governance structures at every level. The workshop at NIPA highlighted not only the urgency of cybersecurity preparedness but also the strategic role public officers play in securing Pakistan’s digital ecosystem. This initiative reflects the broader vision of integrating cyber resilience into the heart of governance to address threats that extend beyond technology, affecting national progress and institutional trust.
Source: LinkedIn
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