Oman announces new cybersecurity initiatives

MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman announced the launch of several cybersecurity initiatives during the 12th Regional Cybersecurity Conference which began here on October 28, 2024.

According to the Minister of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology, Eng Said bin Hamoud al Maawali, these include the launch of the Hadatha Center for Cybersecurity, in partnership with Sultan Qaboos University and the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, to establish advanced national industries in cybersecurity.

Also unveiled for launch are: the first Global Cybersecurity Industry Monitoring Programme which aims to measure and track the growth of the cybersecurity sector; a Cybersecurity Camp Programme to accelerate the maturity of companies providing cybersecurity services in collaboration with the British government; and the Hadatha Award for Cybersecurity to honour outstanding institutions and individuals supporting initiatives and programmes within the sector.

The 12th Regional Cybersecurity Conference, organized by the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) Regional Cybersecurity Center in cooperation with the Ministry, focuses on the theme, Cybersecurity as an Enabler for Digital Economy.

In his keynote address, Al Maawali shared the following, “The Regional Cybersecurity Week is organized under the theme ‘Cybersecurity Enhances Economic Growth’, in alignment with Oman Vision 2040 and the Hadatha Programme for Cybersecurity. This initiative aims to develop a specialized cybersecurity industry that enhances and diversifies economic growth. The Hadatha Programme is one of the key executive programmes of the National Digital Economy Programme, through which the Sultanate of Oman seeks to achieve several objectives that contribute to building and developing a prosperous digital economy, responding to future requirements.” Additionally, he highlighted the economic significance of cybersecurity. “The cybersecurity market is one of the fastest-growing markets globally, and strategic planners in various countries view the cybersecurity industry as a significant source of national income, especially given the technological advancements associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Strengthening the cybersecurity framework is essential for enhancing national digital sovereignty and addressing the risks associated with the flourishing digital economy. It also plays a crucial role in building trust among users and companies in utilizing digital services amid the rapid pace of digital transformation worldwide. Additionally, it fosters foreign investment and creates economic opportunities, particularly within the digital economy, where cybersecurity is a key component in protecting against breaches and cyber threats.” Stressing the pivotal importance of this sector, the Minister added: “No country can advance its economic and developmental programs without considering and prioritizing this vital sector...The wise government is deeply committed to diversifying sources of income based on technology, knowledge, and innovation. His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik has directed that the digital economy be prioritized as a vital component of the national economy by creating advanced infrastructure and technology that can accommodate developments and the challenges of cybersecurity, in line with the strategic directive for a diversified and sustainable economy.” Eng Badar al Salehi, Director General of the Oman National Computer Emergency Readiness Team (OCERT), also underlined the economic significance of the cybersecurity industry.

According to Al Salehi, spending on cybersecurity is expected to exceed one trillion dollars cumulatively from 2017 to 2025, while the cost of cybercrime to the digital economy could reach $10.5 trillion by 2025.

Furthermore, he added that there is a current estimated shortage of over 3.5 million cybersecurity professionals globally, according to the World Economic Forum. Consequently, cybersecurity has become a national priority, he stressed.

“Oman Vision 2040 has identified cybersecurity as a key goal under the priority of economic diversification and financial sustainability. The Cybersecurity Industry Programme was initiated in 2022 with a vision to establish a specialized cybersecurity industry that enhances and diversifies economic growth, covering six strategic pillars.” These pillars include cybersecurity skills, innovation promotion, market stimulation, investor support, supporting the development of startups and SMEs, and raising awareness about the economic opportunities offered by the cybersecurity industry.

The first day of the conference included a number of discussions addressing various facets of cybersecurity, including the role of digital economy as an enabler, industry development, supply chain management, media influence, offensive defense and the role of National Computer Emergency Readiness Teams (CERTS). The conference was also accompanied by a parallel exhibition.

The two-day forum is part of the 12th Regional Cybersecurity Week, which also includes the 16th Annual Conference of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Cybersecurity Centers, the Global Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams, a regional cyber drill, and the first GCC cybersecurity hackathon.