MUSCAT: In conjunction with the 2024 Regional Cybersecurity Week, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT), represented by the National Center for Information Security, hosted a grand ceremony at which a number of prestigious National, GCC, and Global-level cybersecurity awards were distributed. On this occasion, Dr. Ali bin Amur al Shidhani, Undersecretary for Communications and Information Technology, stated: “Under wise leadership and a promising future vision, Oman plays a pivotal role in strengthening regional and international security, not only on a traditional level but also in the digital world, which faces new and rapidly evolving challenges that require collaborative efforts.”
He emphasised that the Ministry’s organization of the Regional Cybersecurity Week for the past eleven years, along with other regional and international initiatives, reaffirms its commitment to advancing digital peace and security at regional and global levels. He also highlighted that, in line with this year’s theme, “Cybersecurity Enhances Economic Growth,” awards were handed out to winners in several national, regional, and global initiatives in cybersecurity and innovation. He stressed that prioritizing “innovation and cybersecurity” in an era of rapid technological advancements and increasing cyber threats is essential, not optional. It strengthens the digital sovereignty of our nations by fostering specialized national industries and products, diversifying economies, creating job opportunities, building customer trust, and attracting foreign investment, he noted.
Speaking at the ceremony, Badr al Salehi, Director General and Cyber Security Leader, highlighted the significance of the awards in fostering international cooperation and nurturing young talent within Gulf communities. “These awards play a crucial role in fostering cooperation among countries in the field of cybersecurity while also uncovering the rich pool of creative young talent within our Gulf communities,” he stated.
Al Salehi emphasised that leveraging innovations and diverse expertise is essential for enhancing the region’s ability to combat borderless cybersecurity threats. He also noted the opportunities these awards create for young individuals to establish startups that contribute to the national economy and bolster digital sovereignty.
In line with this vision, the Sultanate of Oman has launched the inaugural Gulf Hackathon for Cybersecurity in collaboration with Gulf cybersecurity centres. Aimed at individuals aged 18 to 40, the hackathon serves as a platform for innovators to transform their ideas into tangible products or services in the cybersecurity sector.
Al Salehi mentioned that “a total of 480 participants registered for the hackathon, with 377 accepted based on the established criteria for the awards.” From this pool, 20 projects and initiatives from various Gulf countries were selected to present their ideas before a judging panel of experts from national cybersecurity centres across the Arabian Gulf.
The awards also include the Global Cybersecurity Award for Cybersecurity Centres of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, reflecting the initiative’s commitment to global standards in cybersecurity innovation.
The Hadatha Cybersecurity Award in the Sultanate of Oman honors achievements in cybersecurity across three categories: Individuals, Institutions, and Startups/Small and Medium Enterprises. Aida Mohammed Sultan al Shabibi won the individuals category for her CyberAware application initiative, while the Oman Cybersecurity Community also received an award in the same category. In the institutions category, awards went to the Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development, the Ministry of Education, and the Oman Investment Authority, with the Oman Future Telecommunications Company (Vodafone Oman) winning for its Bug Bounty Programme in the private sector. The Oman Information Technology Association was recognized for its Aman initiative in the non-profit category. Additionally, Iknan Technology Company, Taqdeer Cybersecurity Company, and Insight Information Security Company were awarded in the startups and small and medium enterprises category.
The First GCC Cybersecurity Hackathon served as a platform for innovators across GCC countries to turn their ideas into tangible cybersecurity products or services by addressing key cybersecurity challenges shared among GCC states. It targeted individuals interested in cybersecurity from GCC countries, job seekers, and aspiring entrepreneurs in the field. The first-place award was shared by Jassim Mohammed Abdullah al Rubaie from Oman and Ahmed Khamis al Shamsi from the UAE. Rayan bint Ibrahim al Farsi from Oman took second place, and Isa Anwar Saleh Mohammed Saleh from Kuwait won third place.
This year’s Global Cybersecurity Award from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC-CERT) for National Cybersecurity Centers was themed “Innovation in Cybersecurity for Community Prosperity and Wellbeing.” This global initiative by OIC-CERT, chaired by Oman’s National Center for Information Security under the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology, promotes international cooperation in cybersecurity. The award was given to the Association of Cybersecurity Organizations of Azerbaijan (ACOA) for their “Cyber Summer School” project.
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