Abu Dhabi

Source: Al-Ahram Egyptian newspaper

The Council of Arab Ministers for Communications and Information, during its twenty-seventh session held on January 18, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, approved the Arab Strategy for Cybersecurity, which was prepared by the Arab Organization for Communication and Information Technologies in implementation of the decision of the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit in its fourth session – Beirut – Republic of Lebanon. Year 2019.

The organization has begun preparing this strategy during the period 2022-2023. The organization, within the framework of the work of the structures affiliated with the Council of Arab Ministers for Communications and Information, presented this strategy to specialized work teams to finally approve it after taking into account the comments and proposals of Arab countries and regional organizations and institutions working in the field of communication and information technologies and concerned with the field of cybersecurity.

The development of the Arab strategy for cybersecurity falls within the implementation of a number of regional initiatives that aim to enhance Arab cooperation in the field of communication and information technologies, especially in implementation of the outcomes and recommendations of the Arab Digital Agenda 2023-2033 and the Arab Vision for the Digital Economy.

The Arab Cybersecurity Strategy was based on the following strategic vision: Towards a secure, integrated Arab society integrated into the global digital economy and self-sufficient in the field of solutions and expertise that support digital trust and protect the Arab cyberspace.

The approved strategy proposes the implementation of eight main work packages, which are:
• Developing a unified framework for assessing cybersecurity
• Strengthening training and raising awareness in the field of cybersecurity
• Establishing and developing an Arab-regional team to respond to cybersecurity incidents/CSIRT
• Promoting compliance with international standards
• Strengthening Maturity of institutional and governance structures
• Support cybersecurity R&D
• Develop uniform procedures/legal frameworks
• Develop cybersecurity industries and attract skills

During the coming period, the organization will work to implement the various work packages proposed within the framework of this strategy, in partnership with various regional partners from the public and private sectors, and in cooperation with international institutions working in the field.