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Regional forum in Muscat addresses cyberthreats to digital economy

30 Oct 2024 Regional forum in Muscat addresses cyberthreats to digital economy

Muscat – The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, through the Regional Cybersecurity Center (RCC), launched the 12th Regional Cybersecurity Exercise for Arab countries and member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation on Wednesday. The initiative involves participation from countries across Asia, the Pacific, and Africa.

Part of the Regional Cybersecurity Week, the exercise is centered around the theme ‘the Impact of Cyber Threats on the Digital Economy’.

Its primary goal is to enhance communication among participating teams and reduce response times to cyber incidents by fostering collaboration and sharing regional expertise. ‘This collective effort aims to mitigate cyber risks and bolster digital security across the region,’ stated a press release.

Participants included representatives from National Information Emergency Response Teams and National Cybersecurity Centers from various Arab and Islamic nations. The forum focused on the importance of building the capabilities of response teams and improving communication to effectively tackle the growing cyber threats. It also focused on safeguarding key sector information security centers to protect data and digital services from cyberattacks.

Khalid bin Saif al Rawahi, Director of the Cyber Risk and Incident Management Department at the Oman National Computer Emergency Readiness Team (OCERT), highlighted the strategic significance of the cybersecurity exercise in protecting systems and information against rising digital threats.

He noted that the initiative enhances the skills of personnel and develops their capabilities to confront cyberattacks, thereby strengthening the security of digital infrastructure and preparing it for future challenges.

Rawahi pointed out the global shortage of specialised cybersecurity personnel, emphasising that such exercises are crucial for building capacity and nurturing talent in this vital field. “Through these exercises, we aspire to bridge the gap and enhance the readiness of cybersecurity teams in the region, ensuring the protection of digital systems and supporting the stability of the digital economy.”

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