On June 4, 2025, the National Institute of Banking and Finance (NIBAF), Pakistan, held a dedicated training session focused on “Cybersecurity Awareness” as part of the State Bank Officers Training Scheme (SBOTS) for Batch 27. Organized under the aegis of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the session served as a strategic effort to embed cybersecurity best practices and digital risk awareness in the foundational training of Pakistan’s future central bankers.
The session was conducted by Ms. Mehwish Enam, a subject matter expert with deep expertise in information security and digital risk management. Her extensive knowledge, coupled with practical case scenarios, offered participants a nuanced understanding of the cybersecurity challenges and threats currently confronting financial institutions, especially in the evolving landscape of digital finance and banking technologies.
As digital transformation accelerates in Pakistan’s financial services sector, cybersecurity has emerged as a critical area of focus. The increasing reliance on digital platforms, mobile banking apps, payment gateways, and core banking systems has introduced complex vulnerabilities that demand proactive and informed defense mechanisms. NIBAF’s inclusion of cybersecurity in its SBOTS training program reflects the State Bank’s commitment to strengthening the human capital that will steer Pakistan’s financial infrastructure in the coming decades.
Throughout the session, participants were introduced to the fundamentals of cybersecurity, including the types of cyber threats, attack vectors, social engineering tactics, phishing risks, and the importance of adopting strong password policies, secure communication practices, and regular system updates. The training also underscored the role of cybersecurity policies, regulatory frameworks, and global standards in building resilient financial systems.
Ms. Enam emphasized the growing need for banking professionals to not only rely on technical safeguards but also to cultivate a culture of vigilance and accountability within their institutions. She highlighted how financial institutions must move beyond reactive postures to adopt proactive cybersecurity governance models that integrate risk management with operational processes.
This awareness initiative is part of a broader capacity-building agenda led by the State Bank of Pakistan to ensure that its officers are equipped to manage the risks associated with increasing digitization and cyber exposure. SBOTS Batch 27, comprising new recruits undergoing rigorous foundational training, represents the next generation of banking leadership expected to champion secure digital financial ecosystems across Pakistan.
By including such essential themes in their training roadmap, NIBAF is laying the groundwork for a more secure and informed financial sector workforce. The training reflects a recognition that cybersecurity is no longer the domain of IT departments alone—it is a board-level concern that every banking professional must understand and integrate into daily operations.
As Pakistan continues to adopt financial technologies at scale, initiatives like this will play a pivotal role in ensuring that growth is matched with security and resilience, safeguarding the trust of millions of digital banking users across the country.