The National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) in Qatar has taken significant steps to enhance the nation's cybersecurity measures, particularly concerning the safe application of artificial intelligence (AI). As the agency strives to align with Qatar National Vision 2030, its actions reflect a proactive approach to the rapidly evolving landscape of cyber threats.
Iman Al Hamad, the Director of the Planning, Quality and Innovation Department at the NCSA, stated the importance of staying attuned to technological advancements. She remarked, "We are keen to keep up with and stay aligned with its development and progress." In response to these technological shifts, the NCSA has launched comprehensive guidelines aimed at ensuring secure AI utilisation across various organisations within Qatar. These guidelines recommend best practices for fostering a secure and trustworthy AI system, applicable to both existing frameworks and new AI developments.
Recently, the NCSA unveiled the National Cyber Security Strategy for 2024-2030, which is integral to its mission and objectives. Al Hamad highlighted that the strategy is underpinned by contributions from various entities, signalling a collaborative effort to bolster national cybersecurity. "One of the achievements of the agency this year is the application of artificial intelligence," she noted, emphasising Qatar's growing prominence in this domain.
Among the agency’s notable accomplishments is the receipt of the Excellence Award in Cybersecurity Education, attributed to its pioneering "Educational Cybersecurity Curricula" project. This initiative aims to integrate cybersecurity education within school systems, benefiting over 140,000 students across 214 public schools, 178 private schools, and 39 community schools, in addition to catering to students in schools for special needs.
Al Hamad elaborated on the agency's commitment to developing specialised competencies in cybersecurity, sharing details about the annual cybersecurity exercise. Now in its 11th iteration, this simulation programme prepares over 170 government entities for potential cybersecurity threats, fostering a culture of readiness and resilience among national cadres.
Furthermore, the agency provides targeted training programmes for professionals in the cybersecurity sector, ensuring that they are well-equipped to tackle the challenges posed by today’s digital landscape. This ongoing educational effort reinforces Qatar's strategic objectives to secure and advance its technological frameworks in the face of an increasingly complex cybersecurity environment.
Through these initiatives, the NCSA aims not only to enhance security protocols but also to establish Qatar as a pioneer in the secure and trusted adoption of emerging technologies, ultimately contributing to the broader vision of national development and security.
Source: Noah Wire Services