PRASL hosts specialised cybersecurity masterclass to strengthen communications readiness in a high‑risk digital era

The Public Relations Association of Sri Lanka (PRASL) hosted a specialised Masterclass on Cybersecurity & AI Risk for PR and Communications Professionals, led by cybersecurity and digital transformation expert Asela Waidyalankara. The programme forms part of PRASL’s ongoing commitment to equip industry professionals with the skills required to operate in a digital environment where rapid technological adoption and AI-driven tools have reshaped both opportunity and risk.

As modern organisations embrace cloud systems, automation, and AI-enabled workflows, their exposure to cyberattacks, data breaches, and AI-generated false content has increased dramatically. The masterclass emphasised that reputational impact now unfolds within minutes, leaving communications teams at the centre of crisis response. According to the Global Risks Report 2025, misinformation and disinformation have emerged as the world’s number-one global risk, reaffirming why communications teams must be prepared to act faster than ever before.

Drawing on international case studies and a detailed walk-through of the modern threat landscape, the session examined how attackers often announce breaches publicly, how AI accelerates misinformation before verified details emerge, and how organisations can mitigate reputational fallout through structured crisis communication frameworks. Real-world examples from Sri Lanka added local relevance to the discussion, reinforcing the urgent need for institutional readiness.

Speaking about the shifting expectations placed on communications professionals, Asela Waidyalankara said, “In today’s environment, a cyber incident is no longer just a technology failure, it is an immediate communications crisis. The first narrative that reaches the public often becomes the truth they believe. This masterclass was designed to equip PR and communications professionals with the tools, frameworks, and confidence to lead decisively in those first critical minutes. Strengthening communications readiness is now as important as strengthening cybersecurity itself.”

Highlighting PRASL’s commitment to building capability across the industry, Mushthak Ahamed, President of PRASL, added “We are living in a world that is evolving faster than our ability to process it. Digital transformation and AI have brought tremendous progress, but they have also expanded our exposure to new vulnerabilities. Communications teams are now a critical line of defence and through programmes like this, PRASL aims to strengthen preparedness across the industry with practical knowledge that protects brands, stakeholders, and public trust.”

PRASL will continue to host capacity-building sessions and encourages communications professionals across corporate, agency, and public-sector environments to join the Association’s learning and development initiatives. As cyber incidents become inevitable, preparedness, not perfection, will define an organisation’s resilience.