Oman gets first national cybersecurity academy

Muscat: The Omani Authority for Partnership for Development (OAPFD) and the Ministry of Manpower celebrated the soft launch of the Advanced Cybersecurity Academy (ACA) as the first national technical training academy that is specialised in providing hands-on training in cybersecurity.
The ceremony was held under the patronage of Dr Mona Bint Salem Al Jardani, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Manpower for Technical Education and Vocational Training, in the presence of governmental and private entities concerned.
The ACA aims to train and qualify national cadres with high professional skills in accordance with recognised professional standards at the level of global training institutions and cybersecurity organisations.
It will also provide support to various governmental departments, as well as the private sector, with specialised skills and expertise to deal with any cyber attacks or electronic piracy and to reduce the risks of electronic threats.
The academy is equipped with the most advanced means and techniques to provide training services and to equip it with professional expertise and advanced training programmes.
Al Jardani visited the academy building, located within the Higher College of Technology, Muscat, where practical training was witnessed.
“This partnership with the Omani Authority for Partnership for Development is in line with the vision to provide Omani cadres with high quality specialised training in the field of cybersecurity and to enhance performance and innovation at the workplace. It also aims at developing the Omani workforce in this field in accordance with highly recognised international standards,” Al Jardani said.
"The launch of the ACA coincides with the Sultanate's 48th National Day celebrations. ACA has been established to provide training and qualification for national cadres and enhance their skills in the field of cybersecurity and to raise awareness and empower the Sultanate to tackle any potential cyber threats," Dr Dhafir Al Shanfari, Dr Dhafir Awadh Al Shanfari, CEO, OAPFD, said.
“There is an ambitious plan for practical training programmes in the field of cybersecurity that reflects the practical reality in applying them to the compatibility of different working environments, whether in the governmental or private sectors,” said Dr. Ahmed Al Kalbani, Dean of the academy.
The academy will play an important role in the development of the national economy of the Sultanate and the development of Information Technology security.
The Sultanate has the potential to be a pioneer in the field of cybersecurity in the region, as Oman occupies an advanced position in the index of cybersecurity in the world, as prepared by the e-Governance Academy in Estonia.