Qatar strengthens information security compliance cooperation

Doha, Qatar - Qatar is strengthening its national information security compliance framework across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) through enhanced cooperation and knowledge sharing as part of its collaboration with the Arab Council of Cybersecurity Ministers.

The National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) organized a virtual workshop titled 'National Information Security Compliance Framework - The Qatari Model' to present Qatar's approach to reinforcing information security compliance and boosting confidence in digital services. This initiative aligns with Qatar's broader efforts within the Arab Council to foster greater cybersecurity coordination among Arab nations.

Eng. Dana Yousef Al-Abdullah, Director of Policy Affairs at NCSA, led the workshop, highlighting Qatar's experience in establishing its National Information Security Compliance Framework. The session covered the critical role of accreditation and compliance programs in implementing national policies and standards, as well as their potential to bolster the cybersecurity market.

Participants were introduced to the mechanisms used for issuing compliance and accreditation certificates, which serve as formal recognition for organizations meeting specified security requirements. Qatar's Common Criteria Scheme, an internationally recognized approach for evaluating the security of IT products, was also showcased as part of the country's broader cybersecurity and information assurance ecosystem.

As Arab countries increasingly rely on interconnected digital infrastructure, the workshop aimed to facilitate sharing of national experiences and best practices to enhance cybersecurity governance and regulatory frameworks tailored to each country's unique environment.