Arab, regional experts focus on cybersecurity challenges

Salalah: The Wilayat of Salalah in the Dhofar Governorate on Sunday hosted ‘Hadatha’ (Modernity) cybersecurity forum focusing on the extent to which cybersecurity influences economic diversification and the generation of investment opportunities.

The opening ceremony of the two-day forum was held under the auspices of His Highness Sayyid Marwan Turki Al Said, Governor of Dhofar.
The forum was organised by the Arab Regional Centre for Cybersecurity of the International Telecommunication Union, in cooperation with the Middle East Centre for Consultation and Studies.

The event stems from the global trend in realising digital transition and the 4th industrial revolution (4IR), as well as an uptake in cybersecurity risks that threatens the global economy, putting billions of dollars at stake on an annual basis.

This prompted many countries in the world to consider cybersecurity as one of the pillars of economy.

The forum saw the participation of Arab and regional experts and specialists, who presented their views in two working sessions during the opening programme.

The forum will also discuss other issues, like data security governance, the protection of new digital boundaries, opportunities of self-employment and the development of digital economy in Oman.

In particular, the forum will elaborate on ways of empowering innovation in the field of cybersecurity, the platform of ESCWA (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia) on simulating indicators for policymakers in the Arab region, legal frameworks for cybersecurity services and the criminal responsibility incurred upon committing cybersecurity offences.

The forum offers an opportunity to highlight the role of the cybersecurity industry in providing employment opportunities, promoting technological progress and attracting economic investments, in addition to raising awareness about the importance of protecting digital infrastructure in the aftermath of increased cyber threats.

It is worth noting that the Arab Regional Centre for Cybersecurity of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is currently hosted by Oman, represented by the National Centre for Informatics Safety, affiliated with the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology.