The National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT) of Pakistan, in collaboration with the Centre for Information and Communication Technology (CICT) at IBA Karachi, has conducted a specialized training session on “AI Assistance with Risk Governance” for National CERT officials. The three-hour capacity-building session took place at National CERT Headquarters in Islamabad and focused on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in strengthening institutional risk governance and supporting informed decision-making. The training was organised to enhance the understanding of National CERT personnel regarding how AI-assisted approaches can contribute to identifying, assessing, monitoring and mitigating risks within organisations. As institutions increasingly consider the use of AI in their operational and administrative processes, understanding its potential applications and associated governance requirements has become an important part of responsible technology adoption. The session provided officials with an opportunity to explore how these technologies can support risk management activities while maintaining appropriate governance considerations. Through its collaboration with IBA Karachi, National CERT brought academic and research expertise into a capacity-building initiative focused on the practical application of AI in institutional risk management.
The session was delivered by Dr. Faisal Iradat, Head of the Telecommunication Research Lab and Associate Professor at IBA Karachi. He shared insights into the evolving role of AI in risk governance, informed decision-making and institutional risk management. The training examined how AI-assisted approaches can support different stages of the risk management process, including identifying potential risks, assessing their possible impact, monitoring changing conditions and supporting mitigation measures. These applications can help institutions organise relevant information, examine potential challenges and improve the processes used to make risk-related decisions. The discussion also addressed emerging technological challenges and governance considerations associated with the use of AI. As organisations explore AI-enabled systems, they must consider how these technologies are applied, how decisions are evaluated and how potential risks associated with their use are managed. The session therefore focused not only on the potential contribution of AI to risk-related activities but also on the importance of understanding the governance requirements surrounding its adoption. Dr. Iradat’s engagement provided National CERT officials with an opportunity to learn from academic and research perspectives on these developments.
The capacity-building initiative also aimed to strengthen the practical understanding of National CERT personnel regarding AI-enabled risk governance and its implications for institutional operations. Participants were introduced to ways in which AI-assisted methods can contribute to organisational resilience, operational effectiveness and evidence-based decision-making. Risk governance involves identifying potential challenges, evaluating their significance and establishing processes to monitor and address them. AI-based approaches may support these activities by helping institutions analyse information and develop a clearer understanding of emerging risks. However, their use also requires attention to the limitations and governance considerations associated with the technology. By exploring these areas, the session sought to improve officials’ understanding of how AI can be incorporated into risk management processes in a structured and responsible manner. The engagement also provided an opportunity to connect cybersecurity governance requirements with broader institutional risk management practices. National CERT’s collaboration with IBA Karachi reflects an effort to draw on academic expertise to support professional development and improve institutional capabilities in areas relevant to cybersecurity and emerging technologies.
National CERT stated that such collaborative capacity-building initiatives form part of its commitment to strengthening institutional competencies, promoting responsible AI adoption and improving Pakistan’s cybersecurity governance and risk management capabilities. The session also reflects the growing relevance of AI governance for organisations that need to assess technological risks while making informed decisions about the adoption of emerging tools. By focusing on AI assistance in risk governance, the initiative addressed an area that connects technology adoption with institutional accountability, operational resilience and effective risk management. Collaboration between National CERT and IBA Karachi provided a platform for sharing knowledge and developing a stronger understanding of these issues among officials responsible for cybersecurity-related functions. The participation of an academic specialist also brought research and teaching experience into the discussion, supporting the exchange of perspectives on AI applications and governance challenges. Through training activities of this nature, National CERT aims to build the knowledge and capabilities required to address evolving technological challenges and support more informed institutional approaches to cybersecurity governance and risk management across Pakistan.
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