NCSA unveils new initiatives to strengthen Qatar’s cybersecurity

Doha, Qatar witnessed the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) unveil new measures to bolster the nation's cybersecurity at its fifth Annual Cyber Governance and Assurance Conference. The event, themed 'Securing the Digital Future in an Era of Convergence', underscored the government's dedication to digital resilience and innovation.

The conference convened key figures including the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, NCSA President, and officials from both governmental and private sectors. Under the patronage of the Prime Minister, the NCSA introduced the National and Enterprise Information Security Risk Management Framework, alongside new strategies aimed at fortifying Qatar's cybersecurity framework.

In his opening remarks, NCSA President Abdulrahman bin Ali Al Farahid Al-Malki emphasized the pivotal role of proactive cybersecurity in shaping a secure digital future. He stressed the importance of innovative approaches, information exchange, national capability building, public-private collaboration, and preparedness for emerging cyber threats.

Eng. Dana Yousif Al-Abdulla, Director of Policy Affairs at NCSA, underscored that securing the digital future is crucial for Qatar's development and digital transformation under the Qatar National Vision 2030. She highlighted that cybersecurity is not merely about protecting systems and data but also about ensuring service continuity, infrastructure protection, supporting the digital economy, and enhancing trust in the digital environment.

The conference also spotlighted several initiatives to tackle evolving cybersecurity challenges. These include preparations for the post-quantum era and the rollout of the Operational Technology Cybersecurity Assessment Program. Director of the Cyber Strategies and Policy Department at NCSA, Abdulrahman Al-Shafi, discussed the agency's commitment to providing a trusted platform for cybersecurity experts and public servants in Qatar to stay ahead of threats.

During the event, entities involved in the National Information Assurance (NIA) Standard and Qatar Common Criteria Scheme received certifications and compliance certificates. NCSA and CREST International also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance cybersecurity standards, cooperation, and mutual recognition of accredited penetration testing services.