Muscat – Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT) has issued a set of comprehensive security guidelines aimed at enhancing information security practices across government entities in Oman.

The guidelines are designed to ensure protection of valuable information assets and standardise cybersecurity measures within government agencies.

Among the key safeguards are the Basic Information Security Controls Guidelines outlining fundamental security standards that government organisations must adhere to. These provide the necessary measures to protect important information assets, reinforcing the overall security posture of government bodies.

Given the increasing use of social media and the associated risks, MTCIT also released a Social Media Security Guide. This document provides guidelines to enhance the security of social media accounts managed by government entities, ensuring these measures do not conflict with internal security policies.

‘The ministry is also diligently working to raise the level of protection for official social media accounts and related websites, to safeguard them from hacking or impersonation attempts. Updated circulars and security guidelines are regularly issued to address the evolving requirements and challenges,’ it stated.

Another crucial document is the Cybersecurity Governance Guidelines, which introduces a unified framework for governance, risk management and information security management. This guide not only aligns cybersecurity practices with existing information security strategies but also provides detailed steps for effective cybersecurity management.

Specifically tailored to assist public agencies in classifying  data and systems, the Information Security and Systems Classification Guide is in line with Royal Decree No 118/2011. This classification is essential for determining the appropriate security controls required for different types of data.

In an effort to support adoption of cost-effective technological solutions, MTCIT also issued the Free Software Adoption Guide, which is based on research conducted by Sultan Qaboos University and aims to assist government agencies in maximising the value of their technological expenditures.

The Guide to Protecting Children Online addresses the critical issue of online safety for children, outlining strategies to mitigate potential threats they may encounter on the Internet.

Additionally, the ministry provided a Guide and Template for Preparing an Information Technology Strategy in Government, along with a Digital Participation Guide for the Government Sector. These documents are aimed at supporting the digital transformation initiatives within government agencies, fostering greater digital participation and effective IT strategy formulation.

Finally, the Basic Cybersecurity Controls document provides a set of essential security controls that government units must implement to safeguard their information assets effectively. This document is part of a broader effort to ensure comprehensive cybersecurity measures are in place across all government entities.