National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT) has hosted a dedicated training session titled “Cyber Hygiene in Health Services” at its headquarters, focusing on enhancing the cybersecurity practices of doctors from Border Health Services (BHS) under the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHSRC). This session was designed in accordance with National CERT’s Cybersecurity Training Guidelines, reflecting its continued efforts to build capacity and resilience across sensitive sectors such as healthcare.
The training, led by Mr. Khurram Javed, Director Capacity Building, highlighted the growing importance of safeguarding sensitive health data in a rapidly digitising environment. Participants were guided through practical steps to adopt robust cyber hygiene measures aimed at preventing data breaches, unauthorized access, and other cyber threats. The session also emphasized compliance with international best practices, including standards under the International Health Regulations, ensuring that Pakistan’s health services remain aligned with global norms for information security.
A key focus of the training was reducing human error, widely recognized as one of the primary causes of cybersecurity incidents. Doctors and medical staff were sensitized to strategies such as identifying phishing attempts, securing connected medical devices, improving digital behavior, and ensuring the secure handling and storage of patient records. Through these practices, the session aimed to equip healthcare professionals with actionable knowledge to strengthen the protection of sensitive data and critical systems. The interactive format encouraged participants to actively engage, share perspectives, and discuss challenges unique to healthcare settings, making the learning experience more relevant to their daily operations.
This initiative underscores National CERT’s role in enhancing cyber resilience across Pakistan’s vital sectors. By focusing on the health sector, National CERT is helping medical professionals integrate stronger cybersecurity measures into their workflows and adopt a culture of vigilance and best practices. Such initiatives not only address current vulnerabilities but also lay the groundwork for improved digital safety within healthcare, a sector increasingly reliant on technology and data-driven solutions. Through sustained training and collaboration, National CERT continues to position itself as a critical partner in building a secure and digitally resilient environment for Pakistan’s national health services.
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