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Five Guinness World Records Are Testament to Our Cybersecurity Excellence

In an interview with a&s Middle East, Eng Badar Al Salehi, Head of Oman National CERT and the ITU-Arab Regional Cybersecurity Center, discusses the significance of cybersecurity in the Middle East’s digital economy, global collaborations, and the objectives of aligning cybersecurity with Oman’s Vision 2040

By: Mirza Bahić

a&s Middle EastWhat are the key objectives of this year’s 12th Regional Cybersecurity Week, and how do they reflect the growing importance of cybersecurity in the Middle East’s digital economy?

Al Salehi: The 12th Regional Cybersecurity Week is one of the key strategic Annual initiatives of the ITU-Arab Regional Cybersecurity Center (ITU-ARCC) in Oman that was established in 2013 where the Week comes under the capacity building pillar of the Center.

This year’s theme centers on “Cybersecurity as an Enabler for the Digital Economy,” emphasizing key strategies to advance the field. One of the primary focuses is on enhancing cyber resilience, with discussions on how businesses can bolster their defenses against ever-evolving cyber threats as the digital economy expands. We will also discuss the ways of fostering economic growth and the role of cybersecurity in attracting foreign investment and maintaining consumer trust, especially as e-commerce and digital services grow. There is also an emphasis on policy development, as participants collaborate on crafting regulations that support economic growth while ensuring data privacy. Furthermore, we will tackle capacity-building initiatives aimed at investing in training and human development programs to upskill the workforce, ensuring that local talent meets the demands of a digital economy.

a&s Middle EastHow does the 12th Regional Cybersecurity Week facilitate collaboration between regional and international cybersecurity experts?

Al Salehi: A reference to the continued successes achieved by the Regional Cybersecurity Week that was widely praised by local and international participants. Given the importance of the topics addressed in the conference, in addition to the participation of a group of international experts and speakers as well as international cybersecurity companies and organizations that participated in the accompanying exhibition and presented a range of cybersecurity solutions and technologies, such continued success of the Cybersecurity Week resulted in being awarded five world Guinness record awards in the 2023 edition, breaking records for the largest global gathering attended by over 1600 participants from more than 70 countries around the world, including Arab and Islamic countries, African nations, and East Europe as well as central Asia which made the regional Cybersecurity Week to be the largest cross-regional cybersecurity event.

The 12th Regional Cybersecurity Week will feature an array of activities, including panel discussions and workshops. These sessions will bring together regional and international experts to exchange best practices and case studies, fostering knowledge sharing. Networking opportunities will be abundant, allowing participants to form partnerships that can lead to joint cybersecurity initiatives. Projects and initiatives, such as collaborative research or pilot programs, will be launched to address complex cybersecurity challenges. Additionally, the event will provide a platform for signing memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and forming collaborations between cybersecurity agencies and the private sector.

a&s Middle EastCan you elaborate on Oman’s role as a regional hub for cybersecurity industry development and Innovation?

Eng Badar Al Salehi, Head of Oman National CERT and the ITU-Arab Regional Cybersecurity Center

Al Salehi: The Sultanate of Oman has listed cybersecurity as one of the key priorities from an economic perspective in Oman’s Vision 2040 and has established cybersecurity industry development and innovation program “Hadatha program” in November 2022 with a vision of “specialized cybersecurity industry promoting economic growth and diversification “by establishing specialized cybersecurity industry in the region focusing on human capitals and driven by Innovation, creativity, and excellence.

The objectives of the program include aligning with Oman’s Vision 2040, particularly in addressing cybersecurity challenges. Efforts will be directed towards developing a national cybersecurity ecosystem, fostering the growth of specialized cybersecurity capabilities within the country, and creating a thriving environment for SMEs and startups to address domestic needs and challenges. Local companies will also be encouraged to expand internationally, promoting Oman’s cybersecurity innovation on the global stage. Key initiatives include supporting research and development (R&D) in cybersecurity, establishing partnerships with private sectors, academia, and government entities, as well as collaborating with international partners. Special incentives will be introduced to attract foreign investment, further strengthening Oman’s position in the global cybersecurity landscape.

Through the ITU-Arab Regional Cybersecurity Center (ITU-ARCC), Oman is leading a number of cybersecurity industry development initiatives and projects in collaboration with global cybersecurity firms as well as helping to build a skilled workforce in the region.

a&s Middle EastHow does setting five Guinness World Records for the Arab Regional Cybersecurity Centre in 2023 influence the goals of this year’s event?

Al Salehi: Such recognition for the 2023 version of Cybersecurity Week resulted from our strategic regional and international collaboration and partnership with regional and international organizations where the Cybersecurity Council of the UAE has kindly hosted the event in Abu Dhabi and the valuable participation and cooperation of ITU, OIC-CERT, FIRST, Arab league, etc. had significant importance and contribution to such success and recognition.

This will influence this year’s event by giving it global recognition, enhancing the visibility of the Arab Regional Cybersecurity Week, and highlighting its dedication to excellence and innovation in the field. Setting new records will energize participation and draw attention to the critical role cybersecurity plays in economic growth. These achievements will also serve as a benchmark for future goals, fostering continuous innovation in cybersecurity practices.

a&s Middle EastHow does the 12th Regional Cybersecurity Week address cybersecurity challenges unique to the Middle East?

Al Salehi: The 12th Regional Cybersecurity Week addresses how regional conflicts/interests create unique cyber threats/ opportunities emphasizing collaborative strategies through the Cybersecurity Diplomacy Initiative led by Oman to the region.

Following the cybersecurity conference in collaboration with ITU, FIRST, and OIC-CERT, there will be a two-day comprehensive cybersecurity simulation of real-life attacks on critical national infrastructure that cause millions of dollars of losses. The scenarios will highlight the attack trends that any country can be a potential target of. The scenarios will lead to lessons on culturally relevant cybersecurity practices that respect local norms while enhancing security protocols and highlighting the need for tailored solutions to combat specific threats prevalent in the region.

a&s Middle EastWhat initiatives, such as the 1st GCC cybersecurity Hackathon contribute to advancing regional cybersecurity?

Al Salehi: The 1st GCC Cybersecurity Hackathon is the 1st in the Industry Development platform that brings together innovators from the GCC countries in one place to convert their ideas into realistic models for products or solutions for the common cybersecurity challenges faced by the GCC countries, which will contribute to the development of the cybersecurity industry in the GCC and Internationally.

Such hackathons and initiatives will promote a culture of cybersecurity innovation throughout the GCC and surrounding regions. They will address challenges faced by the public and private sectors, working to develop solutions that address these issues. Furthermore, the initiatives will support cybersecurity startups, freelancers, and entrepreneurs, fostering the development of specialized local products and solutions across the GCC and beyond.

Furthermore, as we will explore the advancements in cybersecurity threats and the importance of staying ahead of the curve to protect our digital infrastructure; It is imperative that we adapt and strengthen our defenses to combat the growing sophistication of cyber threats. In conclusion, Cybersecurity is crucial indeed but we should always see the white side of it as an opportunity too. We would like to thank our partners, and stakeholders for joining us on this journey towards a more secure cyberspace. We believe in the power of partnership and together, we can navigate the complexities of the cybersecurity landscape and build a resilient defense against cyber threats while capturing potential social and economic opportunities.

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