Latest news with #AlTaie
Zawya
25-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman enhances cyber resilience in logistics sector
MUSCAT: In accordance with Oman Vision 2040, which emphasizes economic diversification, digital transformation, and human capital development, the Sultanate reaffirmed its commitment to cybersecurity with the inauguration of the 5th Oman Cybersecurity Conference on Thursday. Focusing on the theme, "Empowering Cybersecurity in the Logistics Sector", the conference was organized by Al-Roya newspaper, in collaboration with the Cyber Defense Centre and the Advanced Cybersecurity Academy. The conference opened under the auspices of Eng Said bin Hamoud al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology. In attendance were national and international experts sharing their perspectives on tackling the growing cyber threats to Oman's logistics infrastructure — a cornerstone of the Vision 2040 strategy to transform Oman into a competitive logistics center. Opening the conference, Hatim bin Hamad al Taie, Editor-in-Chief - Al-Roya, emphasized the need to inject cybersecurity into logistics planning, as both are essential to keeping modern economies afloat. "As cyber threats continue to grow globally, it is imperative that our supply chains are efficient and secure," Al Taie said. He mentioned Oman's unique geographical position and continued investment in ports and free zones as evidence of its growing role in regional and global trade. Al Taie also referenced the recent historic agreement on the world's first liquefied hydrogen corridor from the Global South to Europe as evidence of Oman's evolving role in global energy security. Eng Khamis al Hajri, Head of Cyber Defense Centre, delivered the keynote, quoting the vulnerability of global logistics networks to cyberattacks. He referred to the 2023 MOVEit breach that affected more than 93 million individuals as a chilling reminder. Al Hajri called for "Secure by Design" practices for ensuring cybersecurity from the onset. One of the highlights of the event was also the inauguration of the first national cybersecurity simulation exercise tailored to the logistics sector in Oman. The exercise aims at boosting digital preparedness, testing response to threat, and stimulating inter-agency coordination. Singaporean cybersecurity expert Leonard Kahou provided a general overview of how it's becoming increasingly difficult to secure logistics ecosystems. He warned that ransomware, data breaches, and social engineering tactics present increasing threats throughout supply chains — all the way to the end-user. Cyber Defence Centre engineer Hashem al Balushi revealed an alarming trend: Oman's logistics industry alone saw over 80,000 malware attacks and 37 advanced persistent threats within the first quarter of 2025. He advocated for robust protection mechanisms, including encrypted protocols, limited access permissions, and periodic system updates. Wrapping up the event, the Ministry of Labour's "Tashgheel" programme and several local businesses signed a memorandum of understanding to upskill Omani professionals in cybersecurity — doubling down on Vision 2040's focus on developing the workforce. The conference underscored the fact that a secure digital foundation is not a technical necessity alone, but rather a strategic necessity for Oman's sustainable development and economic future. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Observer
24-04-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman enhances cyber resilience in logistics sector
MUSCAT: In accordance with Oman Vision 2040, which emphasizes economic diversification, digital transformation, and human capital development, the Sultanate reaffirmed its commitment to cybersecurity with the inauguration of the 5th Oman Cybersecurity Conference on Thursday. Focusing on the theme, "Empowering Cybersecurity in the Logistics Sector", the conference was organized by Al-Roya newspaper, in collaboration with the Cyber Defense Centre and the Advanced Cybersecurity Academy. The conference opened under the auspices of Eng Said bin Hamoud al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology. In attendance were national and international experts sharing their perspectives on tackling the growing cyber threats to Oman's logistics infrastructure — a cornerstone of the Vision 2040 strategy to transform Oman into a competitive logistics center. Opening the conference, Hatim bin Hamad al Taie, Editor-in-Chief - Al-Roya, emphasized the need to inject cybersecurity into logistics planning, as both are essential to keeping modern economies afloat. "As cyber threats continue to grow globally, it is imperative that our supply chains are efficient and secure," Al Taie said. He mentioned Oman's unique geographical position and continued investment in ports and free zones as evidence of its growing role in regional and global trade. Al Taie also referenced the recent historic agreement on the world's first liquefied hydrogen corridor from the Global South to Europe as evidence of Oman's evolving role in global energy security. Eng Khamis al Hajri, Head of Cyber Defense Centre, delivered the keynote, quoting the vulnerability of global logistics networks to cyberattacks. He referred to the 2023 MOVEit breach that affected more than 93 million individuals as a chilling reminder. Al Hajri called for "Secure by Design" practices for ensuring cybersecurity from the onset. One of the highlights of the event was also the inauguration of the first national cybersecurity simulation exercise tailored to the logistics sector in Oman. The exercise aims at boosting digital preparedness, testing response to threat, and stimulating inter-agency coordination. Singaporean cybersecurity expert Leonard Kahou provided a general overview of how it's becoming increasingly difficult to secure logistics ecosystems. He warned that ransomware, data breaches, and social engineering tactics present increasing threats throughout supply chains — all the way to the end-user. Cyber Defence Centre engineer Hashem al Balushi revealed an alarming trend: Oman's logistics industry alone saw over 80,000 malware attacks and 37 advanced persistent threats within the first quarter of 2025. He advocated for robust protection mechanisms, including encrypted protocols, limited access permissions, and periodic system updates. Wrapping up the event, the Ministry of Labour's "Tashgheel" programme and several local businesses signed a memorandum of understanding to upskill Omani professionals in cybersecurity — doubling down on Vision 2040's focus on developing the workforce. The conference underscored the fact that a secure digital foundation is not a technical necessity alone, but rather a strategic necessity for Oman's sustainable development and economic future.
Observer
21-02-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman bets on financial sustainability, economic diversification
MUSCAT: Shaikh Ghosn bin Hilal al Alawi, Chairman of the State Audit Institution (SAI), inaugurated the 14th edition of Al Roya Economic Forum, which opened at the Crowne Plaza Muscat on February 19. The forum, held under the auspices of Credit Oman, is entitled, 'Financial Sustainability and Pathways to Expand the National Economy's Base'. This year, the forum focused on two central themes: 'Targets for Financial Sustainability in the Sultanate of Oman: Challenges and Horizons' and 'Towards Practical Pathways for Expanding the National Economy's Base'. In his opening remarks, Hatim bin Hamad al Taie, Editor-in-Chief of Al Roya newspaper, highlighted the progress made in Oman's financial landscape. He underscored the successful implementation of the 'Fiscal Balance' plan over the past four years, which allowed the government to rationalise spending, control expenditure and increase public revenues. Additionally, Oman's credit rating was upgraded several times, reaching its highest level in seven years, restoring the nation's investment-grade status. Al Taie pointed out that these achievements marked a significant shift towards adopting financial sustainability as an alternative to financial balance, laying the groundwork for Oman's economic recovery. However, he cautioned that the financial balance plan, despite its successes, had also led to limited growth opportunities, a weakening of the private sector, and reduced job availability, resulting in higher unemployment and layoffs due to private companies' struggles with tough economic conditions. He also stressed that without clear plans for economic diversification linked to measurable performance indicators and specific timelines, the country would not achieve its economic goals. He warned that focusing solely on financial measures like cutting expenses or raising taxes would exacerbate economic contraction and limit investment opportunities, benefiting only select sectors. Additionally, Al Taie advocated for expanding support for entrepreneurship, which he described as vital for modern economies. He praised 'Al Raffd Fund' as an exemplary model for providing easy financing to small and medium-sized enterprises. He also applauded the current efforts to support emerging tech companies in fields like artificial intelligence and robotics, encouraging the government to expand such initiatives to strengthen Oman's global digital competitiveness and stimulate new sectors for economic development. The forum aims to foster discussions on improving Oman's economic indicators and developing its financial sector in alignment with the national vision, 'Oman Vision 2040'. The focus is on directing financial resources towards developmental projects with promising returns, fostering public-private partnerships and boosting Oman's global financial standing. Among the speakers and participants were Shaikh Abdullah al Salmi, CEO of the Financial Services Authority; Mahmoud al Owainy, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Finance; Dr Dhafer al Shanfari, Chairman of the Economic Committee at the State Council; Ahmed al Sharqi, Chairman of the Economic Committee at the Majlis Ash'shura; Dr Khalid al Amri, Chairman of the Omani Economic Association; Eng Aisha al Saifi, Vice-President of the 'Nazdaher' Programme; Ali al Lawati, businessman; Dr Yousef al Balushi, economic expert; and Badr al Harthy, Economic Diversification Supervisor at the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit. The forum's committee viewed financial sustainability and economic diversification as key to Oman's transformation. Discussions focused on improving efficiency, productivity and risk management while exploring new markets and diversifying revenue sources. The committee advocated for strategic financial planning to optimise resources, reduce dependency on a single income stream and prepare the financial sector for future changes, all supporting Oman Vision 2040 and boosting the competitiveness of the private financial sector.
