𝗖𝘆𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗯𝘆 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗧 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆

𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗱, 𝗣𝗮𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻 – National CERT proudly culminates its six-week Cyber Champs Internship Program: a pioneering Capacity Building initiative, aimed at nurturing the next generation of cyber-smart youth in Pakistan. The program was designed to instill essential cyber safety skills in a fun, engaging, and impactful way which brought together around 20 enthusiastic young learners who embarked on a transformative journey into the world of cybersecurity.

Over the course of six weeks, participants engaged in a progressive learning path covering a diverse range of topics — from cyber hygiene, social media etiquette, and web design & development, to introductions to cybersecurity governance policies and standards, programming fundamentals, and critical discussions on cyber harassment, online scams, bullying, misinformation & disinformation, malicious software, cracked software and incident reporting. Delivered through interactive activities, expert-led sessions, and practical demonstrations, the curriculum blended technical knowledge with responsible digital citizenship, empowering children to navigate cyberspace safely and confidently.

The program culminated in a memorable visit to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, arranged by the Capacity Building Directorate, National CERT led by Ms. Zaheema Iqbal (AD Advisories). During the visit, the children explored key assets, including the PTA Security Operations Center (SOC), gaining first-hand exposure to Pakistan’s real-world cyber ecosystem. This immersive experience offered them invaluable insights into how critical national infrastructure is safeguarded in the digital realm, further deepening their appreciation of the importance of cybersecurity.

On the closing day, Mr. Khurram Javed (Director Capacity Building) commended the young participants for their dedication, encouraging them to channel their energy and curiosity towards building successful careers in cybersecurity. Following his remarks, certificates were awarded to all participants by Dr. Haider Abbas, TI (Director General, National CERT). In his address, Dr. Abbas lauded the children’s unwavering enthusiasm, adaptability, and eagerness to learn, noting that their ability to grasp complex cybersecurity concepts at such an early stage was truly inspiring. He emphasized that these young learners represent the foundation of a safer, stronger, and more resilient digital Pakistan, and expressed confidence that their newly acquired skills would empower them to face the evolving challenges of the cyber world. This initiative reflects National CERT’s unwavering commitment to building a cyber-resilient nation starting with its youngest digital citizens.