The National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT) organized a comprehensive cybersecurity awareness session titled “Secure Together: Building a Culture of Cyber Awareness” for officials of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD). The session, held at the PMD Headquarters, was designed to strengthen the department’s preparedness against emerging cyber threats and reinforce a culture of security awareness among its personnel. The initiative reflects National CERT’s ongoing efforts to promote cybersecurity readiness and resilience across Pakistan’s public sector institutions.
Developed under National CERT’s Cybersecurity Training Guidelines, the session focused on the specific security needs of PMD’s workforce, including its end users, operational staff, and management. Participants were introduced to practical techniques for identifying and mitigating cyber risks, improving their understanding of phishing, malware, and data protection practices. The training also emphasized the importance of early incident reporting and proactive response mechanisms to minimize operational disruptions. By tailoring the content to PMD’s operational context, the session helped bridge knowledge gaps and encouraged participants to adopt cybersecurity as a shared responsibility rather than a technical obligation.
Mr. Khurram Javed, Director Capacity Building at National CERT, led the session and highlighted the increasing need for robust cybersecurity frameworks within critical national departments. He underscored that as government organizations like PMD expand their digital infrastructure, ensuring data protection and operational continuity becomes essential. Mr. Javed reaffirmed National CERT’s commitment to enabling such institutions through regular capacity-building programs and awareness campaigns aimed at fostering a security-conscious workforce. He added that public sector resilience depends not only on technological safeguards but also on empowering employees with the right knowledge and mindset to identify and counter cyber threats effectively.
National CERT has maintained an active role in supporting public and private entities across Pakistan through training, advisory services, and collaboration on cyber readiness initiatives. Its partnership with PMD demonstrates the agency’s focus on practical engagement to strengthen national cybersecurity posture. As part of its broader mission, National CERT continues to promote a collective defense approach, encouraging information sharing, responsible digital behavior, and the development of internal security champions within institutions. Through such initiatives, the organization aims to build a more secure and informed cyber ecosystem, reducing vulnerabilities across Pakistan’s critical infrastructure and ensuring long-term digital trust in public services.
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