Muscat – In a strategic move to enhance the cybersecurity ecosystem, Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT) inaugurated the Hadatha Cybersecurity Industry Centre on Tuesday in partnership with Sultan Qaboos University.

The centre is designed to bolster research, development and innovation in cybersecurity, reinforcing the role of academic institutions in driving national progress.

The inauguration ceremony was held under the patronage of H E Dr Ali bin Amer al Shidhani, Undersecretary for Communications and Information Technology in MTCIT, in the presence of H H Sayyid Dr Fahd bin al Julanda al Said, Vice-Chancellor of SQU.

Badar bin Ali al Salehi, Director General of Oman National CERT, said that the centre will serve as a scientific and intellectual platform fostering creativity and pioneering solutions in the cybersecurity sector.

He noted that the global cybersecurity market is witnessing rapid growth, projected to exceed US$500bn by 2030, up from US$246bn in 2024, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.9%. He said this growth underscores the pressing need for innovative, locally developed solutions to keep pace with the evolving digital threat landscape.

Salehi stressed the fact that Hadatha Centre will play a key role in integrating efforts across government entities, private sector partners and academic institutions. It will also activate the national framework for cybersecurity innovation, ensuring that scientific research is closely aligned with local market demands and contributes to both economic development and national security.

Dr Mohammed Bait Suwailam, Director of Communications and Information Research Centre at SQU, described cybersecurity as a shared national responsibility of individuals as well as institutions. He underlined the importance of embracing emerging technologies to safeguard data in light of the growing sophistication of electronic threats.

He explained that the Hadatha initiative seeks to equip national talents with the skills required for the cybersecurity job market, while fostering strategic partnerships with both public and private stakeholders.

Suwailam also pointed out that the centre has a distinctive visual identity and state-of-the-art technical infrastructure. It provides an enabling environment for students and researchers to conduct hands-on experiments in areas such as software analysis, penetration testing, network monitoring and development of AI-powered cybersecurity solutions.

The inauguration included a presentation introducing the centre, official launch of its registration platform and a guided tour of its modern facilities. Attendees had the opportunity to view the centre’s advanced technologies and specialised operational areas.

MTCIT stated that Hadatha Cybersecurity Industry Centre is committed to advancing research and development, fostering innovation and enhancing Oman’s leadership in cybersecurity across the Arab region.