𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗮 𝗖𝘆𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻

𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗱, 𝗣𝗮𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻 – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Capacity Development Resource Center (CDRC) successfully organized a full-day cybersecurity training for public sector officials, aimed at fortifying Pakistan’s critical infrastructure against emerging cyber threats. The session was conducted by Dr. Haider Abbas, TI, Director General of the National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT) and a leading cybersecurity expert in Pakistan.

The training addressed key challenges posed by the evolving cyber threat landscape, focusing on critical infrastructure sectors such as energy, telecommunications, and financial systems. Dr. Abbas highlighted the growing sophistication of cyberattacks, particularly those leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI), and emphasized the need for AI-driven defense mechanisms to counter these threats. Participants were provided with actionable strategies to mitigate risks and safeguard core national assets.

An assessment of the current security posture within public sector organizations was also conducted, followed by strategic recommendations to nurture a cybersecure culture. Dr. Abbas outlined practical steps to enhance cyber hygiene, improve incident response capabilities, and promote inter-organizational collaboration for a unified defense approach. The session concluded with an engaging Q&A and group exercise, where participants discussed challenges and explored solutions under Dr. Abbas’s guidance.

This initiative underscores ADB’s commitment to empowering Pakistan’s public sector to address emerging cybersecurity challenges. Dr. Abbas commended the proactive participation and urged organizational leaders to prioritize cybersecurity as a fundamental aspect of operational resilience. The training marks a significant step in enhancing Pakistan’s cybersecurity posture, with continued collaboration between ADB and National CERT to protect the nation’s digital ecosystem and critical infrastructure.