Muscat – Represented by the National Centre for Information Security (Oman CERT), Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT) launched the Hadatha Cybersecurity Industry Centre at Middle East College on Sunday.

The inauguration ceremony was held under the patronage of H E Dr Saif bin Abdullah al Hadabi, Undersecretary for Research and Innovation at MTCIT.

The new centre is part of the Hadatha Cybersecurity Industry Executive Programme, which seeks to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and research in cybersecurity. It also aims to create income-generating opportunities by connecting public and private sectors, investors, and academic institutions in one collaborative framework.

Aziza bint Sultan al Rashidi, Assistant Director General of Cybersecurity Programmes at MTCIT, said the ministry recognises the importance of supporting innovation in cybersecurity, describing it as an essential requirement for progress in modern societies.

“The Hadatha Cybersecurity Industry Centre aims to position Oman as a regional leader in cybersecurity innovation,” Aziza said, adding that it is focused on developing national expertise, fostering creativity and building a sustainable cybersecurity industry.

The centre will collaborate with government entities, private companies, and academic institutions to provide a platform for researchers and innovators to design and implement new technologies and solutions. According to Aziza, this cooperation will help grow local industries, support the development of Omani cybersecurity products and start-ups, and create new economic opportunities.

The centre’s operational plan includes a specialised training programme and workshops led by Oman CERT experts. Key initiatives under the plan include the Hadatha Hackathon, designed to encourage innovation through competitive problem-solving in cybersecurity challenges.

Additionally, the plan features accelerator and incubator programmes to support emerging entrepreneurial projects in the field. The centre will also work with the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Oman to integrate artificial intelligence and advanced technologies into cybersecurity development, contributing to the country’s digital transformation.

At the launch, officials unveiled the Cybersecurity Challenges Page, which enhances Oman CERT’s existing Cybersecurity Challenges Bank. The new platform will assess cybersecurity challenges based on technical and administrative standards while fostering collaboration between academic, industrial and government sectors.

The centre aims to stimulate research and development and transform knowledge into practical applications, leading to the creation of local products and innovative cybersecurity services through simulation, modelling and testing.