A national information security awareness webinar titled Human Firewall: The First Line of Defence was hosted by Bank of Punjab on November 24, attracting participation from professionals across the public and private sectors. The session was streamed live on Facebook and placed human behaviour at the center of cybersecurity conversations. One of the invited panelists shared that the ongoing evolution of digital risks requires organizations to recognize that security challenges are no longer limited to technology. Instead, they increasingly involve individual decision making, workplace culture, and awareness of digital practices that impact enterprise safety.
During the webinar, speakers highlighted that as organizations adopt AI at unprecedented speed, the elements that influence resilience now include ethical decision making, digital awareness and secure behaviour at every level of an enterprise. The panelist noted that the integration of AI across business operations has created opportunities as well as new responsibilities, and that governance frameworks must support responsible and transparent adoption. A major part of the discussion focused on how human centric security contributes to institutional strength, with participants sharing observations on the value of training, communication and leadership engagement. The session also emphasized that secure behaviour is shaped through consistent awareness efforts rather than one time interventions, and that employees significantly influence the defense posture of any institution.
Speakers further discussed practical ways to enhance digital hygiene in environments where AI powered tools are becoming more common. The conversation explored how organizations can encourage safer habits, update internal policies and provide guidance that helps employees respond to suspicious activity and understand the importance of data protection. Panelists pointed out that digital hygiene requires ongoing attention and that small, consistent actions can reduce exposure to common risks. The panel also touched on leadership responsibilities in shaping secure, data driven institutions. Strong leadership, according to the discussion, plays a central role in promoting accountability, establishing expectations and making security a shared priority across teams.
The panelist expressed appreciation for the invitation extended by Bank of Punjab and acknowledged Muhammad Ali Manzer for leading the national dialogue on cybersecurity awareness. The session was positioned as an important opportunity to bring together diverse viewpoints and to emphasize that building informed and resilient digital ecosystems requires collaboration across sectors. Participants stated that human centric awareness forms the foundation of effective cybersecurity programs and that ongoing national level conversations can support collective efforts to strengthen the country’s digital environment.
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