Saudi Arabia: a rising giant in the field of cybersecurity

The Global Cybersecurity Forum Institute, inaugurated in Riyadh on King Salman's orders in June, is a reflection of the rapid evolution of cyberspace and its potential importance for the progress of society. Cybersecurity, in simple terms, consists of defending devices such as computers, smartphones, electronic systems, networks, servers and data from malicious attacks. In recent times, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, being the largest information and communication center in the Middle East, has experienced an exponential increase in cyber attacks, mainly due to the growing diffusion of digital devices. In the first two months of 2021 alone, Saudi Arabia has been the target of as many as 7 million cyberattacks.

An answer to the growing need for cyber security

"The Global Cybersecurity Forum Institute represent an attempt to counter increasingly frequent cyber attacks" a spokesman for the institute told Arab News. The institute aims to address the most challenging cybersecurity issues facing governments, companies and individuals, supporting international projects and facilitating the exchange of ideas. To this end, the GCFI works to build a platform dedicated to the stability, security and prosperity of cyberspace, aiming to ignite socio-economic change, push the boundaries of knowledge and unite global champions.

Saudi Arabia: Global leader in cyber security

Saudi Arabia is committed to becoming a world leader in cyber security. Currently, the country is second only in the World Competitiveness Yearbook for 2022, published by the Switzerland-based International Institute for Management Development. Authorities and bodies such as the National Cyber Security Authority and the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones have played a vital role in the country's advancement in this field. In 2022, the Saudi government stepped up enforcement of cyber security regulations, witnessing a growth of startups in the sector and an increase in job opportunities.

Strengthening national cyber security

The National Cyber Security Authority's National Plan for Cyber Assessments 2023 provides for extensive cyber security assessments for national entities, focusing on compliance audits and technical reviews of key systems. Furthermore, the 2022 Haseen initiative, launched by the authority, represents a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity. This initiative aims to promote collective security by facilitating the sharing of information on cyber threats and incidents among national entities. The action also helped manage compliance, aligning entities with regulations such as the National Cybersecurity Framework and the General Data Protection Regulation. Other measures taken by the Saudi government include integrated governance of cybersecurity, effective management of cyber risks, protection of cyberspace and international cooperation. The country has also launched initiatives to improve citizens' education on cyber security and increase students' interest in this field.

Finally, as BinAli points out and many of the initiatives undertaken by the Kingdom demonstrate, robust cybersecurity improves the quality of life, promotes economic growth and digital innovation, particularly in a digital-dominated world. “Cybersecurity benefits our daily lives, protecting our online existence and the digital services we rely on every day – from online banking, e-commerce, healthcare and education, to social networks and beyond” he said BinAli "By preventing disruptions caused by cyberattacks, robust cybersecurity ensures the reliability and availability of these vital services".

Talking about the importance of cybersecurity in innovation, he concluded: "By providing a secure platform for digital activities, cybersecurity encourages the development of new technologies and facilitates the digital transformation of industries".