Hadatha Centres: Bridging Cybersecurity and Innovation to Boost Economic Growth in Oman
MUSCAT: The Hadatha Centres for Cybersecurity Industry, launched by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MoTCIT), aim to be more than just research facilities; they serve as catalysts for innovation and business growth in the cybersecurity sector.
"This centre is not solely a technical project; it is an intellectual and scientific space designed to foster creativity and accelerate entrepreneurial initiatives in cybersecurity," stated Aziza bint Sultan al Rashdiyah, Assistant Director General for Cybersecurity Programs at the MoTCIT.
During the inauguration of the third Hadatha Centre, Al Rashdi characterized this initiative as a cornerstone of Oman’s vision for a secure and sustainable digital economy. She explained that these centres function as vital connectors between research and market application, where innovation can lead to both economic and security benefits.
The Hadatha Centres operate under the National Cybersecurity Programme (Hadatha), one of the fundamental components of Oman’s National Digital Economy Programme. This initiative seeks to enhance the digital economy’s contribution to the country’s GDP.
Currently, there are three Hadatha Centres in operation across Oman: the first opened at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS Muscat), followed by the Hadatha Centre at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), and the latest at Middle East College in Muscat.
"In light of global projections indicating that cybercrime losses could surpass ten trillion dollars annually by 2030 and that the global cybersecurity market may exceed five hundred billion dollars, the urgency for innovation is paramount," Al Rashdi emphasized.
She noted that as digital threats escalate, local cybersecurity innovation has become essential rather than optional. Over eighty percent of global organizations now prioritize in-house cybersecurity innovation, but fewer than forty percent have the means to transform ideas into practical solutions.
"This gap between necessity and capacity underlines the importance for Oman to invest in local innovation," Al Rashdi elaborated. She asserted that the Hadatha Centre is a concrete step towards enhancing local innovation and turning it into economic and security value, emphasizing that its success hinges on effective partnerships, continuous investment, and aligning research with market demands.
Furthermore, Al Rashdi mentioned that the Ministry is collaborating with the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Oman to incorporate artificial intelligence and advanced technologies into future cybersecurity solutions, which she believes will bolster the cybersecurity industry and advance the digital economy. These initiatives aim to position Oman as a regional leader in cybersecurity innovation.
According to Amal bint Saeed al Mashaikhiyah, Senior Cybersecurity Innovation Specialist at the National Cybersecurity Centre, the Hadatha model is founded on a "specialized innovation framework" designed to connect Oman’s academic, industrial, and government sectors into a cohesive ecosystem.
"It aims to establish an integrated national ecosystem to strengthen innovation in the field," she explained. The National Cybersecurity Centre coordinates this framework, offering guidance to academic institutions that host Hadatha Centres while the government sector develops policies and strategies to encourage cybersecurity investment. The private sector contributes funding, mentorship, and real-world challenges for innovators to tackle, while academia serves as an incubator for research, creativity, and entrepreneurship, ensuring that innovation extends beyond laboratories to reach local, regional, and global markets.
Each Hadatha Centre embarks on a cyclical innovation journey, starting with workshops to build awareness and skills, followed by mentorship, hackathons, and accelerators that transform initial ideas into startups. "This integrated pathway supports innovators from the ideation stage to market entry at local, regional, and global levels," she concluded.
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The launch of the Hadatha Centres for Cybersecurity signifies an essential opportunity for businesses in Oman to engage with cutting-edge cybersecurity innovations, aligning with the nation’s vision for a secure digital economy. This initiative presents an avenue for smart investors and entrepreneurs to tap into a rapidly growing market, as local cybersecurity innovations are imperative for addressing the urgent gaps in capability highlighted by increasing global cyber threats. Successful participation will depend on fostering effective partnerships and leveraging governmental support to convert research into viable market solutions.
