A. F. Ferguson & Co., a member firm of the PwC network, hosted an exclusive one-day masterclass titled Governing Cybersecurity In The AI Era – Digital Trust, Risk and Resilience on January 22, 2026 at Marriott Hotel Karachi. The event was inaugurated by Salman Hussain, Territory Senior Partner, and brought together over 100 senior technology and business leaders from a wide range of industries. Participants included CISOs, CIOs, CTOs, CDOs, CFOs, CIAs, and risk professionals, creating an interactive forum for knowledge sharing and strategic discussions on the evolving cybersecurity landscape in the age of artificial intelligence.
The masterclass addressed how AI is reshaping business operations and creating new risks that extend beyond traditional IT concerns, establishing cybersecurity as a core component of digital trust. Saad Kaliya, Partner at A. F. Ferguson & Co., and Syed Abdul Qadir, PMP, CISA, ISO LA Executive Director, led the session with detailed discussions on governance frameworks, risk mitigation strategies, and organizational resilience. The program emphasized the integration of cybersecurity into strategic decision-making, highlighting how business leaders can align AI adoption with strong security protocols to protect critical data and maintain operational continuity.
An international perspective was provided by Dr. Erdal Ozkaya, CISO at Morgan State University and President of Global CISO Forum. Dr. Ozkaya shared insights on the intersection of AI and cybersecurity, exploring trends in digital risk and best practices for maintaining resilience in increasingly complex technological environments. His presentation reinforced the importance of a proactive approach to cybersecurity, encouraging participants to view AI adoption as an opportunity to strengthen both technological infrastructure and organizational governance.
Attendees actively engaged in discussions, posing questions and sharing experiences that enriched the session. The masterclass provided a platform to explore practical solutions to emerging threats, examine frameworks for regulatory compliance, and understand the responsibilities of senior leadership in safeguarding digital assets. The collaboration between local and international experts underscored the global dimension of AI-driven cybersecurity challenges, highlighting the importance of continuous learning, cross-industry dialogue, and investment in robust security measures to navigate the evolving digital landscape.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.