National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT) of Pakistan successfully conducted the first day of its intensive two-day Comprehensive Cybersecurity Training at Secretariat Training Institute (STI), Establishment Division. Designed according to National CERT’s Training Guidelines, the program aims to equip early career civil servants with essential skills to navigate evolving cybersecurity challenges and strengthen digital governance practices. This initiative reflects National CERT’s ongoing commitment to fostering a digitally resilient government workforce capable of managing emerging threats and integrating technology responsibly into public sector operations.
The opening day included two interactive sessions led by distinguished experts. The first session, conducted by Syed Imran Haider, Assistant Director Trainings at National CERT, focused on “Responsible AI Adoption and Robust Cybersecurity Practices.” Participants examined the convergence of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, exploring methods to adopt AI technologies while maintaining data security and mitigating potential operational risks. The session provided practical insights into handling sensitive information and illustrated the critical importance of responsible AI deployment in public sector processes, helping civil servants understand both the opportunities and challenges posed by emerging technologies.
The second session was delivered by Dr. Mehreen Afzal, Director GRC, on the topic “From Policy to Practice: Integrating Cyber Governance into Government Functions.” This session emphasized translating cybersecurity policies into actionable frameworks, highlighting strategies for embedding governance and compliance within daily government operations. Participants engaged in detailed discussions on risk management, policy implementation, and procedural compliance, gaining a deeper understanding of how effective cyber governance can enhance accountability, reduce vulnerabilities, and improve the resilience of government information systems. The interactive nature of the sessions encouraged dialogue and exchange of ideas, reinforcing the practical application of knowledge in real-world scenarios.
The first day concluded with active participation and constructive discussions, laying the groundwork for the second day of training, which will feature further in-depth exercises to strengthen participants’ cybersecurity capabilities. National CERT continues to prioritize cultivating a culture of cybersecurity awareness among government employees, ensuring civil servants are prepared to address the evolving digital landscape. Through initiatives such as this training, National CERT aims to build a workforce capable of responsibly adopting technology, implementing robust governance frameworks, and safeguarding critical government infrastructure while supporting Pakistan’s broader digital governance objectives.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
