Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Cyber security expert Zubair Khan has urged the government to sensitize Information Technology (IT) stakeholders and launch structured training programmes to develop “cyber scouts” who could support institutions such as the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and cyber police in eradicating the growing menace of cyber crime in the country.
He proposed the development of trained cyber scouts from universities and IT institutions, who could be deployed in coordination with NCCIA and cyber police to address resource shortages.
These cyber scouts, he said, could initially serve in training or internship-based roles and later be absorbed as professionals, creating a sustainable talent pipeline for national cyber security.
He said a large number of youngsters in Pakistan are increasingly interested in ethical hacking, which is a core domain of cyber security, but lack clarity about the proper pathway, courses and certifications needed to enter the field professionally.
Zubair Khan said the absence of clear guidance has created confusion among aspiring IT professionals regarding eligibility, education requirements and internationally recognised certifications. He stressed that senior IT professionals, training institutions and policy makers must step forward to guide youth about structured learning routes so their interest can be converted into meaningful careers.
He clarified that there is no rigid educational threshold for becoming an ethical hacker, citing global examples where even teenagers have demonstrated exceptional cyber skills. However, he added that a recognised academic degree plays an important role as a professional gateway, while practical skills, hands-on experience and continuous learning remain the real foundation of success.
Explaining certification pathways, he said genuine cyber security certifications are vendor-based and issued after passing standardized international examinations, and should not be confused with local training certificates.
Organizations such as EC-Council and Offensive Security, he said, offer globally accepted beginner-level certifications that provide a clear starting point for aspiring ethical hackers.
Zubair Khan said youngsters should first build a strong base in operating systems, networking fundamentals and scripting languages, particularly Python, before moving towards specialised certifications. He added that most entry-level certifications require around 72 hours of focused study and practice, followed by formal examinations.
Highlighting the need for practical exposure, he encouraged youth to engage in self-study, online labs, Capture the Flag challenges, hackathons and global cyber security communities to develop real-world problem-solving skills.
Concluding, Zubair Khan said that with proper guidance from IT professionals, structured certification pathways and hands-on training, Pakistani youth can play a vital role in strengthening the country’s cyber security ecosystem and combating cybercrime effectively.
