KUWAIT: Abdullah Al-Salem University hosted a program on Monday that includes discussion panels to study and measure the level of maturity in the field of cybersecurity, organized in cooperation with the National Cybersecurity Center and Oxford University. The program’s opening speech was delivered by the university’s Vice President for Scientific Research and Graduate Studies, Dr Sorour Al-Otaibi, who said that the discussion panels, which will continue until January 29, represent a “pivotal step” towards understanding the level of maturity in institutions by applying global standards that contribute to improving the digital infrastructure and protecting it for the Comprehensive Measurement Model (CMM) implemented by Oxford University experts.
Al-Otaibi added that the CMM aims to help countries and institutions identify strengths and weaknesses and analyze gaps while submitting a final report that includes recommendations to improve the cyber performance process. He stated that this initiative comes as a result of fruitful cooperation between the governments of Kuwait and Great Britain and Northern Ireland, “which reflects the depth of relations and keenness to cooperate in various fields, which serves the interests of both countries.”
He stated that these discussion panels are “an opportunity to learn about current challenges and explore innovative solutions through the exchange of expertise between a group of academics and experts in this vital field,” stressing that they will be a starting point towards building a strong and sustainable cybersecurity system that contributes to achieving the future vision of Kuwait.
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For her part, the representative of the National Cybersecurity Center, Ghalia Al-Salahi, said in a similar speech that this initiative comes within the framework of the center’s keenness to enhance cybersecurity in Kuwait through the exchange of expertise, the application of global best practices and working to build strategic partnerships between the government and private sectors.
Al-Salahi stressed that cybersecurity “is no longer an option, but rather a basic necessity” to protect the digital infrastructure and ensure the sustainability of digital transformation in all fields. She also stressed the center’s constant endeavor to be a platform for unifying national efforts and supporting cooperation with leading international institutions such as Oxford University, which has extensive experience in this field.
She explained the importance of the discussion panels in providing a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas and visions and identify the strengths and challenges facing Kuwait, expressing hope that these discussions will be a starting point towards developing policies and strategies that enhance cybersecurity at the national level. In turn, the representative of the British University of Oxford, Michael Smith, explained the importance of these specialized discussion sessions in the fields of cybersecurity, especially at the present time, in order to exchange knowledge and maintain levels of cyber maturity according to practical training on the ground to achieve the desired goals.
Smith stressed that cognitive interaction and exchange of experiences between individuals are necessary to ensure improving the level of education and training in advanced fields such as cybersecurity, calling on everyone to participate in developing their skills to achieve the best. results that advance societies The opening of the program, hosted by Abdullah Al-Salem University, was attended by the Deputy Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the country and Deputy Head of Mission Stuart Summers and representatives of a number of governmental and private entities. - KUNA