New Govt Directive Targets Private Schools in Islamabad — Are Staff Prepared?
The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training has issued an urgent directive requiring mandatory cybersecurity training for all staff members of private educational institutions operating in Islamabad.
The move follows recent instructions from the Prime Minister emphasizing the need to strengthen digital security across public and private institutions. As part of the initiative, the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (ICT-PEIRA) has entered into a collaboration with the Cisco Networking Academy to roll out a large-scale capacity-building program.
The directive applies to both teaching and non-teaching staff who use computers, official email accounts, or mobile devices for institutional work. Authorities have stressed that the growing use of modern AI tools and digital systems in administrative and academic operations has significantly increased exposure to cyber threats.
Officials warned that incidents involving hacking, data leaks, and digital misuse have become more frequent, making cybersecurity preparedness a critical requirement for educational institutions. In response, all relevant personnel are now required to enroll in designated online courses focusing on cybersecurity and digital safety.
The Ministry has set March 8, 2026, as the final deadline for completing the required certifications. School administrations have been instructed to treat the directive as a high-priority compliance matter to ensure institutional protection against emerging cyber risks.
