From classrooms to cyber careers: A national push for digital responsibility

Education Ministry Information Technology and Digital Education Additional Secretary Udara T. Dikkumbura

CICRA Holdings Group Director and CEO Boshan Dayaratne

Sysco LABS Cybersecurity Director Shanthi Rajesh

Sri Lanka CERT Chief Information Security Officer Nirosha Ananda

Hash X Founder and CEO Avishka Bandara

•  5th Annual Youth Summit on Cyber Security organised by CICRA and Daily FT under Education Ministry’s endorsement

By Amira Cader

In an age where students navigate social media before textbooks and artificial intelligence before adulthood, cybersecurity has become more than a technical discipline — it is a life skill.

That reality shaped discussions at the 5th Annual Youth Summit on Cyber Security, where policymakers, industry leaders and educators gathered at the BMICH last week to strengthen Sri Lanka’s digital resilience.

The event conducted by CICRA and DailyFT under the Education Ministry’s endorsement and spanning 24 leading government and international schools, the initiative culminated in the awarding of completion certificates to students at the close of the workshop — a symbolic yet significant step toward nurturing a safer, more digitally informed generation.

Gracing the occasion as the chief guest Education Ministry Information Technology and Digital Education Additional Secretary Udara T. Dikkumbura emphasised digital transformation in schools must be accompanied by strong frameworks for safety and ethical technology use.

Education Ministry Director of Education (ICT) P.S. Sandamali, attending as guest of honour, highlighted the critical role teacher’s play in shaping responsible digital citizens and awareness must become part of everyday classroom culture.

The project brought together 24 schools under a sustained program of awareness workshops and student engagement sessions. The initiative focuses on practical areas such as password protection, phishing prevention, online privacy, gaming vulnerabilities and responsible social media use.

Designed for long-term impact, the project empowers teachers to act as digital safety ambassadors within their institutions.

CICRA Holdings Group Director and CEO Boshan Dayaratne highlighted the global cybersecurity talent crisis. With millions of roles unfilled worldwide and job growth far exceeding the broader IT sector, the need to develop structured learning pathways for students interested in cybersecurity careers. He stressed.

His further noted that cybersecurity not only as a protective necessity but also as a powerful economic opportunity for Sri Lanka.

Hash X Founder and CEO Avishka Bandara conducted a practical session on everyday cyber awareness, demonstrating how simple habits such as reusing passwords or clicking unverified links often lead to security breaches. 

He reminded participants that cyber threats are increasingly personal and that vigilance must become routine.

“Artificial Intelligence is becoming increasingly difficult to determine what can be trusted online. And in this AI-driven world, responsibility and vigilance are essential — it is always better to be safe than sorry, ” he stressed. 

Sysco LABS Cybersecurity Director Shanthi Rajesh addressed the realities of Social Media, Gaming and Digital Life Risks.

Her session examined how excessive online exposure, cyberbullying, data sharing habits and in-game interactions can create hidden vulnerabilities for young users and  importance of digital boundaries, privacy awareness and understanding how online platforms collect and use personal data.

“By connecting cybersecurity principles to students’ daily digital experiences, awareness must begin with understanding everyday behaviour,” she noted.

Sri Lanka CERT Chief Information Security Officer Nirosha Ananda delivered an insightful presentation on AI in Daily Life: Power, Privacy and Responsibility.

“Artificial intelligence is transforming communication, education and decision-making, while cautioning that innovation must be balanced with ethical responsibility and data protection awareness,” he noted. 

Ananda further emphasised that as times change and technology advances at a rapid pace, mindsets and practices must evolve accordingly. However, this fast-tracked digital life must be guided by ethical balance, with young minds equipped with proper safety protocols will play a crucial role in shaping a secure and responsible digital future.

What distinguished the summit was its alignment between policy, industry expertise and educational implementation. At the conclusion of the workshop, students participated in a quiz designed to test their understanding of key cybersecurity concepts, with the top ten performers being recognised for their excellence. The interactive format demonstrated that cybersecurity awareness is moving beyond conference halls into structured, measurable school programs.

As Sri Lanka embraces rapid digital advancement, the message from the summit was unmistakable: technology can empower — but only when paired with responsibility. And that responsibility begins early.