‘Qatar’s cybersecurity strategy built on collaboration, shared responsibility’

Doha, Qatar has adopted a cybersecurity strategy that emphasizes collaboration, shared responsibility, and continuous improvement among government agencies, businesses, and individuals, according to Abdulrahman Al-Shafi, Director of the Cyber Strategies and Policy Department at the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA). Speaking at the fifth Cybersecurity Governance and Assurance Conference, Al-Shafi stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation between NCSA cybersecurity departments and stakeholders across the country to prepare for emerging cyber threats.

He emphasized that cybersecurity is an ongoing journey and a collective effort to enhance Qatar's cyber readiness and ensure all stakeholders are equipped to face future challenges. Al-Shafi highlighted the significance of coordinating the development and implementation of Qatar's National Cyber Security Strategy, which was preceded by extensive consultation and assessment of the challenges faced by various stakeholders.

The strategy was designed not just as a policy document but to work with stakeholders throughout the implementation process, reflecting their needs, capabilities, and limitations. Al-Shafi explained that the collaborative approach aimed to provide a clearer understanding of the current cybersecurity landscape and identify practical limitations that could affect the execution of national cybersecurity objectives.

He reiterated that shared responsibility is central to Qatar's cybersecurity efforts, with the NCSA's role extending beyond developing national policies to providing assistance to stakeholders, including individuals, as the country progresses in its digital transformation.