Thursday 09 / May / 2024
MUSCAT: Information Technology Authority (ITA) celebrated the opening of the National Digital Forensic Lab yesterday at its headquarters at Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM).
The lab was inaugurated under the auspices of His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, Minister of Heritage and Culture,along with a number of Their Excellencies and government law enforcement representatives.
The establishment of the national digital forensic laboratory will allow officials to interpret and analyse electronic data to help detect cyber crimes and provide courts with accurate evidence.
This lab will offer training to officers and law enforcement agencies to ensure having qualified experts in cyber crime to help in cases related to the Information and Communications Technology.
With the growing threat of cyber crime and increasing incidents of such crimes in the Sultanate, there was an urgent need for a national laboratory to collect digital forensics and assist law enforcement and judicial authorities in investigating these crimes.
In 2015, the ITA investigated over 229 cyber crimes,and supplied 570 digital forensic samples of evidence. Further, the number of electronic hackings targeted to cyber space in the Sultanate reached 100,000 attempts, in addition to 1,500 incidents reported from a number of government, private entities and individuals.
At the opening, Sayyid Haitham said, “We are pleased to inaugurate the National Digital Forensic Lab here at the ITA, which is the first of its kind in the Middle East, in terms of integrating all concerned law enforcement entities. This project will boost the Sultanate’s regional and international readiness level in dealing with cyber crimes and digital forensics.”
Sayyid Haitham added, “Technology has established itself in a rapid way and influenced the lifestyles of individuals in many respects. Consequently, the cyber crime rate has increased on both the local and international fronts. Therefore, there has been a need to have a national forensics lab to tackle digital forensic evidence, helping law enforcement agencies and other judiciary bodies to prove criminal acts and bring perpetrators to justice, not to mention protecting Information and Communication Technology users in Oman.”
Also, Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications, Chairman of the Information Technology Authority (ITA) Board of Directors noted, “The National Digital Forensic Lab is a great addition to what has already been achieved in the ICT field in Oman. The Sultanate is now one of the leading countries in this regard, and internationally recognised during the
past few years.
Immense damage
“There is no doubt that cyber crimes cause immense damage, both financially and non-financially, compared to the harm caused by traditional crimes, not only on individuals, but also on the country’s national security and economic platforms. This is an international challenge and with the establishment of the National Digital
Forensic Lab, the cost will definitely be less.”
Fight against cyber crimes
Speaking about its importance, Dr. Salim Sultan Al Ruzaiqi, CEO of ITA added, “Having this lab in Oman constitutes a protection to society in its mission to fight against cyber crimes, given its equipped capability and sensitive detection devices to help in investigations and detection.
“Of note, the lab has been established in accordance with the Electronic Transactions Law and the Cyber Crime Law of the Sultanate of Oman, issued by His Majesty’s Royal Decree 69/2008 and 12/2011, respectively.
“The formulation of this law began a new era for Oman, where a truly enabled society evolved in the realisation of the digital society of Sultanate. It is a major milestone in the implementation of the national e.oman strategy
by ITA.
“The national digital forensic lab aims to obtain an international recognition, which would enhance the credibility of the lab and digital evidence, especially with regard to cyber crimes from outside the country,” said Dr. Al Ruzaiqi.
