First Arab International Cybersecurity Conference and Exhibition kicks off
On behalf of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, National Security Advisor and Royal Guard Commander, Major-General His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, opened the first Arab International Cybersecurity Conference and Exhibition. Patronised by HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the event is held at Exhibition World Bahrain in Sakhir, with the participation of high-profile speakers and in the presence of cybersecurity experts from various countries.
On the occasion, HH Shaikh Nasser stressed that cybersecurity has become a basic pillar of the information and communication technology (ICT) sector in the world to confront cyber risks, noting that Bahrain attaches special importance to cybersecurity, given its major role in providing cyber protection for all sectors that support the comprehensive development process, led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and followed up by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
HH the National Security Advisor pointed out that the Kingdom is one of the leading countries in the region in the field of cybersecurity, citing its keenness to develop the ICT infrastructure and adopt many initiatives and projects to improve the readiness and security of information, in a way that enhances its advanced world-standard digital infrastructure and contributes to protecting its cybersecurity in this regard, he indicated that Bahrain has launched a National Cybersecurity Strategy that includes basic, interconnected pillars that constitute a comprehensive and coherent framework to maintain a safe and reliable cyberspace in the Kingdom.
HH Shaikh Nasser asserted that the Kingdom’s hosting of the first Arab International Cybersecurity Conference and Exhibition reflects its great interest in developing the telecommunications, ICT and digital economy fields, being one of the promising priority sectors, as well as its keenness to provide a platform to identify the latest policies, legislation and technologies related to cybersecurity.
Interior Minister, General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, affirmed that holding the first edition of the Arab International Cybersecurity Conference and Exhibition is in line with the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to shift to digital systems in delivering services, within an integrated digital transformation plan that is carried out according to disciplined cyber standards. The minister asserted that HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister’s patronage of the global cybersecurity gathering reflects HRH’s interest in ensuring that it contributes to enhancing cybersecurity which has become an essential pillar of the comprehensive security system.
General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla appreciated HH Shaikh Nasser’s initiative to hold the first edition of this great gathering of cybersecurity officials and experts in the kingdom, particularly following Bahrain’s advanced security achievements, and success in reducing crime rates, while continuing to provide digital services with a professional approach and establish a safe infrastructure in the ICT field.
The minister pointed out that over the past years, the kingdom has strived to support and secure the digital transformation process by launching the necessary initiatives and setting the basic rules of cybersecurity, in order to put in place a robust and sustainable electronic environment, capable of confronting the increasing cyber challenges.
The Minister of Interior stressed that achieving cybersecurity is not the responsibility of government agencies alone, but also that of the private sector, which remains a basic partner in this regard, adding the users also must have sufficient awareness to ensure that their use of the global network of information is safe and beneficial. He also highlighted the importance of the partnership among the relevant sectors in setting up a unified framework to confront cybersecurity threats and provide the required protection.
The first Arab International Cybersecurity Conference and Exhibition is a global platform for cybersecurity experts and specialists, as well as representatives of the public and private sectors, to develop strategies on how to face cyber challenges and developments, and improve the protection of data, networks and important national and international infrastructure, which will play an important role in creating a safe cyber environment. The event also aims to enhance innovation in the field of cybersecurity, and highlight global initiatives and the latest trends in this field, in addition to discussing the most prominent challenges and developments in the field of cybersecurity, while providing practical solutions and studying the best cyber practices.