Hadatha Forum Highlights Cybersecurity: What It Means for Business Risk Management in Oman
MUSCAT, SEPTEMBER 10 — Dr. Said bin Mohammed al Saqri, Minister of Economy, officially inaugurated the Hadatha Cybersecurity Industry Forum at Comex 2025 on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. The forum, organized by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology through the National Centre for Information Security, focused on advancing a national cybersecurity industry. Discussions emphasized compliance with global standards in services and solutions, as well as fostering stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Badr bin Ali al Salhi, Director General of the National Centre for Information Security and Head of the 4th Industrial Revolution Centre, underscored the forum’s goal to bolster the digital economy as a vital part of Oman’s broader economic framework. He detailed the Executive Programme for the Cybersecurity Industry as a foundational element of Oman’s National Digital Economy Programme, aimed at enhancing digital infrastructure, building customer trust, enabling secure and sustainable economic growth, and attracting both local and international investment.
Significant achievements under the Hadatha programme include Oman’s rise to top-tier positions in the ITU Global Cybersecurity Index, the establishment of cybersecurity centres at Sultan Qaboos University and the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, and the launch of the world’s first Cybersecurity Industry Monitoring Centre. This centre supports evidence-based decision-making through economic indicators. Additionally, the programme has facilitated the creation of five new cybersecurity companies, developed 17 local cybersecurity products, identified six investment opportunities, certified 11 local companies, and secured international accreditation for three national firms adhering to global cybersecurity standards.
The forum also unveiled the preliminary website for Oman’s 4th Industrial Revolution Centre, developed in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, and formally launched the “Thiqah” digital trust services project. This national initiative provides services such as digital identity, electronic signatures, and digital seals to promote secure and reliable digital transformation.
Several strategic agreements were signed during the event, including a partnership with CRiST International to accelerate the maturity of cybersecurity companies, and a collaboration with Middle East College to establish a Hadatha Centre designed to create new economic opportunities within the cybersecurity sector.
The Hadatha Excellence Initiative honored local talent across government, private sector, academic, and individual categories. Recipients included government bodies like the Oman Investment Authority and Muscat Municipality; private firms such as Dream Lab and BugBounty Oman; academic institutions like Middle East College; and individual innovators including Shouq bint Amer al Maashaniyah and Suleiman bin Salem al Salhi.
International organizations and local companies were also recognized under the CREST CAMP programme for advancing global cybersecurity service standards. Honorees included Al Diyar, CRiST, Tabaṣṣur Information Security, Oman Digital Data Company, and Tatweer Cybersecurity.
The forum featured panel discussions on investment opportunities in cybersecurity, challenges faced by national companies in scaling and innovation, and a roundtable with investors and decision-makers to explore Oman’s potential as a regional cybersecurity hub.
— ONA
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Oman’s strategic focus on building a robust cybersecurity industry, underscored by government initiatives and international collaborations, opens significant opportunities for businesses to innovate and invest in secure digital infrastructure. This proactive approach not only enhances economic resilience but also positions Oman as a burgeoning regional cybersecurity hub, creating avenues for smart investors and entrepreneurs to capitalize on emerging tech-driven markets while mitigating digital risks.
