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KAUST signs memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabia's National Cybersecurity Authority

Feb 20, 2020 News

KAUST and Saudi Arabia's National Cybersecurity Authority signed a memorandum of understanding in early February to bolster their combined commitment to national cybersecurity. Image courtesy of Shutterstock.

On February 5, KAUST and Saudi Arabia's National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to bolster their cooperation and commitment to national cybersecurity.

KAUST President Dr. Tony Chan and His Excellency Dr. Khalid Al-Sabti, governor of NCA, signed the MoU during a ceremony held as part of the Global Cybersecurity Forum in Riyadh.

KAUST President Dr. Tony Chan (left) signs the memorandum of understanding with His Excellency Dr. Khalid bin Abdullah Al-Sabti (right), governor of Saudi Arabia's National Cybersecurity Authority, on February 5 in Riyadh. File photo.

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The agreement aims to increase the pipeline of qualified cybersecurity professionals and to develop innovative technologies to enhance cybersecurity protection for critical national infrastructure.

Cooperation between NCA and KAUST will focus on developing educational programs in cybersecurity and providing consultations on curricula, training courses and other educational methods that both parties deem necessary.

The MoU emphasizes information sharing about the national workforce in cybersecurity and education and the preparation of educational and research capabilities through consultation on priority research topics in cybersecurity. In addition, it stresses the importance of joint research projects; local and regional technical meetings; and the organization of forums to present research, innovation and expertise in the cybersecurity field.

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