National Cyber Security Agency organised on Monday, the Qatar Cyberspace Compliance and Assurance Conference in the presence of HE Minister of Transport Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti, and with the participation of local and external authorities, QNA reported.
The conference sheds light on the compliance, assurance, and accreditation system for cyber security service providers in the country, as well as evaluating and issuing software and hardware evaluation certificates after examining them in accredited international or national laboratories.
HE President of the National Cybersecurity Agency Eng Abdulrahman bin Ali al-Farahid al-Malki said in a statement that cyber security is considered an essential pillar of continuity and assurance with regard to technological infrastructure at all levels and in all sectors.
He affirmed that Qatar has witnessed in the past decade a great development in the cyber security scene,as it sought, from its various sides, to raise the readiness of institutions to confront
cyber-attacks, and to raise the level of awareness about the various threats.
He noted that the State has undertaken various efforts represented in enhancing the role of the private sector, service providers and the supply chain as essential partners in ensuring cyber security. Among these efforts is joining the Common Criteria Scheme in 2015, which is considered one of the most important international systems for examining and evaluating devices and applications.
For her part, Director of National Cyber Governance and Assurance Affairs at Qatar National Cyber Security Agency Eng. Dana al-Abdulla said in a speech about the agency's firm belief in strengthening the pillars of cyber security to advance progress and development in technological infrastructure, and protecting it from renewed cyber risks and threats, was and remains the main motive for moving towards continuing efforts, as Qatar is keen to be proactive and keep pace with the continuous changes in the cyber security landscape.
For her part, Manager of Information Technology Department at the Public Prosecution, Maryam Haji Abdullah spoke about the prosecution's experience in developing its compliance capabilities and obtaining the first certificate of compliance with the National Information Security Standards in Qatar. She affirmed that this accreditation is an incentive to develop and improve performance.
She stated that compliance with the National Information Assurance Policy includes meeting many controls to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data, indicating that the National Information Assurance Policy is based on the use of a set of specific organisational processes and techniques to protect data.
Within the framework of the conference, the Cyber Governance and Assurance Affairs Sector in the Agency, which is the competent authority, issued certificates of compliance with the national information security standards, as the Public Prosecution obtained a certificate of compliance with the National Information Security Standards,. Thus, it is considered the first government institution to obtain this certificate.
Microsoft also obtained a certificate of compliance with the National Information Assurance Standards on the scope of Azure Qatar in the geographical locations of Ireland and the Netherlands.
Within these events, the National Cyber Security Agency and Crest International signed a memorandum of understanding, which includes frameworks and aspects of joint co-operation between the two sides, in the field of accrediting information security service providers and developing the capabilities of individuals.
President of Crest International Rowland Johnson presented a lecture on the importance of accreditation and compliance, after which the conference held a panel discussion on ensuring information security.
Finally, the conference held a workshop on the compliance and accreditation programme, in the presence of stakeholders from several sectors of the country, in addition to a group of information security specialists and researchers. Strengthening cyber security and securing a reliable information environment is one of the most important pillars of the National Cyber Security Agency, which is keen to intensify efforts to protect the country's infrastructure. (QNA)
 
 
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