National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT) of Pakistan has played an active role in the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication’s training program designed to strengthen the capacity of Digital Transformation Officers (DTOs) and Primary Data Officers (PDOs). Co-organized by the National Information Technology Board (NITB) in Islamabad, the initiative is part of the Digital Nation Pakistan vision launched by Federal Minister for IT & Telecom Shaza Khawaja to equip public sector officers with digital skills necessary to modernize governance and services.
During the training, Director General National CERT Dr. Haider Abbas, TI, delivered a comprehensive session titled “Navigating the Future: Digital Transformation and Emerging Technologies.” He underscored the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Cybersecurity in shaping Pakistan’s digital resilience. Dr. Abbas also highlighted how cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated and why aligning Pakistan’s digital strategy with international standards is essential to maintain competitiveness and ensure national security in an interconnected world.
Assistant Director (Advisories & Communications) at National CERT, Zaheema Iqbal, led an in-depth discussion on the core pillars of digital transformation. She explained the responsibilities of the Digital Transformation Officer and the Data Privacy Officer, emphasising the importance of GDPR compliance and sharing lessons from global best practices. Her session offered participants a roadmap for creating citizen-centric and secure digital ecosystems that meet international privacy and data protection benchmarks.
Information Security Auditor at National CERT, Khawaja Mansoor Ul Hassan, conducted a technical session titled “Guidelines for Cybersecurity Implementation,” which equipped attendees with practical approaches to strengthen organizational security posture. He stressed that digital transformation initiatives cannot achieve their goals unless robust cybersecurity measures are embedded at every stage of development and operation. His insights were aimed at helping officers build resilience into their systems and processes from the ground up.
These combined efforts at the training underscored the pivotal role of cybersecurity, digital governance strategies and adherence to global standards in building a secure and future-ready public sector. National CERT reaffirmed its commitment to support Government of Pakistan in advancing a digitally empowered and innovation-driven public sector under the Digital Pakistan framework. By contributing to the development of skilled officers capable of implementing secure digital practices, National CERT is helping lay the groundwork for a stronger national cyber defense and a more effective delivery of public services.
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