National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT) Pakistan, in collaboration with Ignite National Technology Fund, organized a three day cybersecurity capacity building programme for government officials at FAST NUCES Islamabad Campus as part of the 5th Digital Pakistan Cybersecurity Hackathon. The programme brought together officials from federal ministries, divisions and attached departments to strengthen cybersecurity awareness, enhance institutional capabilities and improve cyber resilience across the public sector. The initiative consisted of two days of practical cybersecurity training followed by a one day cyber drill, providing participants with an opportunity to gain hands on experience in responding to modern cyber threats and protecting government digital infrastructure.
The programme was designed in accordance with the National CERT Training Guidelines and focused on equipping participants with the knowledge and practical skills needed to address contemporary cybersecurity challenges. Throughout the training sessions, officials explored key topics related to cyber threats, institutional cyber resilience, secure digital practices and the protection of government information systems and digital assets. National CERT adopted an interactive learning approach that encouraged active participation, knowledge sharing and discussions on the evolving cyber risks facing public sector organizations. The sessions combined practical exercises with expert guidance to help participants understand the importance of implementing effective cybersecurity measures within their respective institutions. By emphasizing real world scenarios and collaborative learning, the programme aimed to strengthen the ability of government organizations to identify, respond to and manage cybersecurity incidents more effectively.
The final day of the programme featured a cyber drill that allowed participants to apply the concepts and techniques covered during the training in simulated environments. The exercise was designed to improve preparedness, coordination and decision making during cybersecurity incidents while reinforcing best practices for safeguarding digital assets and critical government systems. National CERT stated that the programme sought to provide relevant insights and actionable knowledge that participants could implement within their organizations to strengthen institutional security and contribute to a more resilient digital government ecosystem. The initiative also reflected the importance of continuous professional development as cyber threats continue to evolve and public sector institutions increasingly rely on secure digital services and information systems to deliver essential functions.
The concluding ceremony was attended by Dr. Haider Abbas, TI, Director General of National CERT, who addressed the participants and highlighted the importance of continuous cybersecurity capacity building in strengthening Pakistan national cyber resilience. During the ceremony, he presented certificates of participation to government officials in recognition of their commitment to enhancing their cybersecurity knowledge and technical capabilities. National CERT reaffirmed its commitment to advancing cybersecurity capacity across Pakistan public sector through ongoing training initiatives, institutional knowledge sharing and professional development programmes. Conducted in partnership with Ignite National Technology Fund and hosted at FAST NUCES Islamabad Campus, the programme forms part of broader efforts to strengthen cybersecurity awareness, improve institutional readiness and support the development of a secure, resilient and trusted digital ecosystem across government organizations.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
