National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), Government of Pakistan, has completed a five-day national-level academic activity focused on developing a Level 5 qualification for cybersecurity education in Pakistan. The activity was held from August 17 to August 21, 2026, at Best Western Premier Islamabad in collaboration with British Council and brought together academic and industry experts to work on the development of the Occupational Profile and Competency Standards for a Level 5 Diploma of Associate Engineering in Cyber Security. The initiative is focused on establishing an industry-aligned qualification framework that can help prepare students and professionals for cybersecurity roles through structured technical education. Dr. Subhan Ullah, Associate Professor at National University and a cybersecurity researcher specialising in areas including Internet of Things security, cloud security, post-quantum cryptography and artificial intelligence-driven cybersecurity, participated in the activity as an Academic Expert in Cyber Security. His contribution focused on the development of the Occupational Profile and Competency Standards for the proposed qualification, alongside experts from academia and industry.
The five-day activity brought together specialists to define the knowledge, technical capabilities and competencies expected from learners pursuing the Level 5 Diploma of Associate Engineering in Cyber Security. The Occupational Profile is intended to outline the professional requirements associated with cybersecurity roles, while the Competency Standards provide a structured basis for determining the skills and capabilities students should acquire through the qualification. Developing these components with participation from academic and industry professionals can help connect formal technical education with the requirements of cybersecurity workplaces. The involvement of experts from different areas of cybersecurity also provides an opportunity to incorporate current technical practices and emerging requirements into the qualification framework. Dr. Subhan Ullah acknowledged the contributions of NAVTTC, British Council, his colleagues from FAST National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences and other experts from academia and industry who participated in the activity. The collaborative nature of the programme reflects an effort to develop cybersecurity education through input from professionals who understand both academic requirements and practical industry needs.
The development of a Level 5 cybersecurity qualification comes as organisations across Pakistan and internationally face increasing demand for professionals with specialised knowledge in information and network security. Cybersecurity covers a broad range of areas, including protection of computer systems, cloud infrastructure, connected devices, networks and digital information. As organisations continue adopting digital systems, the need for trained personnel capable of identifying security risks, applying protective measures and responding to cyber incidents has also increased. A formal technical qualification can provide students with a structured pathway into the cybersecurity field and give employers a clearer understanding of the skills associated with a particular level of training. The proposed DAE Level 5 qualification can also contribute to technical and vocational education by providing students with an option specifically focused on cybersecurity rather than requiring them to rely solely on general information technology programmes. Including industry and academic expertise in the curriculum development process can help ensure that the qualification reflects relevant technical competencies and remains connected with practical requirements.
The initiative also forms part of broader efforts to develop Pakistan technical workforce through qualifications aligned with changing technology requirements. NAVTTC and British Council collaboration on the cybersecurity qualification development brings together national vocational education authorities and international education expertise, while participation from universities and industry provides additional technical input. The completed five-day activity represents an important stage in developing the Occupational Profile and Competency Standards required for the Level 5 Diploma of Associate Engineering in Cyber Security. The next stages will involve using the developed material as part of the qualification development process and establishing the academic and technical framework around the programme. For students interested in cybersecurity, the introduction of a dedicated qualification could provide another route toward developing specialised skills and pursuing careers in a growing technology field. For Pakistan technology sector, the development of industry-aligned cybersecurity education can contribute to a larger pool of professionals with formal training in areas required to protect digital infrastructure and information systems.
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