ITU-IMPACT establishes first Cybersecurity Innovation Centre for Arab region
Oman chosen as new regional cyber-hub
Geneva, 19 December, 2012 – ITU and its cybersecurity partner, the International Multilateral Partnership Against Cyber Threats (IMPACT), has announced a partnership with the Information Technology Authority (ITA) of Oman for the first Cybersecurity Innovation Centre to cater to the needs of the Arab region. The formal exchange of Agreement took place in Muscat, Oman on 15 December 2012.
ITU Secretary-General Dr Hamadoun I. Touré said: “It has been our aim to localize ITU-IMPACT’s cybersecurity services through establishment of regional cybersecurity centres. Through such centres, ITU-IMPACT will be better positioned to respond to the needs of our stakeholders more effectively and efficiently. This underpins our overall strategy to expand and widen ITU-IMPACT’s cybersecurity initiatives in the region, as well as to enhance the capacity, capability, readiness, skills and knowledge in the areas of cybersecurity. The Government of Oman is well known throughout the region for its strong commitment to cybersecurity. So it is very fitting indeed to establish ITU-IMPACT’s very first cybersecurity regional centre here in Muscat.”
With a total investment of over USD 2 million from the Oman government and ITU, the establishment of the new Cybersecurity Innovation Centre will play a pivotal role in supporting ITU-IMPACT’s global headquarters in Malaysia in localizing cybersecurity services and support to meet the unique needs of the Arab region. The Centre will also serve as a catalyst for enhancing regional cooperation, coordination and collaboration to address escalating cyber threats.
The Centre will benefit from ITU-IMPACT’s existing global threat information and collaboration platforms. These include ITU-IMPACT’s state-of-the-art systems such as NEWS (Network Early Warning System) and ESCAPE (Electronically Secured Collaborative Application Platform for Experts).
Datuk Mohd Noor Amin, Chairman of IMPACT, said; “We are extremely proud to establish in Oman ITU-IMPACT’s first Cybersecurity Innovation Centre. This centre will lay a strong foundation for increased cybersecurity cooperation within the region and it will help position the centre, and Oman itself, as a regional cybersecurity hub.”
Dr Salim Sultan al Ruzaiqi, Chief Executive Officer, ITA Sultanate of Oman said: “Another key objective is to ensure that we continually develop the capabilities to offer our stakeholders throughout the Arab Region a flexible and intuitive approach in the areas of cybersecurity. This success marks a significant milestone in our region, especially in planning a more regionalized service, offering a greater assistance against cyber threats.”
Brahima Sanou, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau, and Salim Sultan al Ruzaiqi, signed the Agreement on 15 December 2012, witnessed by Badar Ali Al-Salehi, Director of Oman National CERT (O-CERT), Marco Obiso, ITU Cybersecurity Coordinator and Philip Victor, Director of Policy & International Cooperation, IMPACT.
With 144 countries now part of the ITU-IMPACT coalition, IMPACT is entrusted with the task of providing cybersecurity support and services to ITU’s Member States and other organizations within the UN system. ITU-IMPACT’s global partnership now embraces over 200 industry, academia and international organizations.
About ITU
ITU is the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technology. For over 145 years, ITU has coordinated the shared global use of the radio spectrum, promoted international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, worked to improve communication infrastructure in the developing world, and established the worldwide standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communications systems. From broadband networks to new-generation wireless technologies, aeronautical and maritime navigation, radio astronomy, satellite-based meteorology and converging fixed-mobile phone, Internet and broadcasting technologies, ITU is committed to connecting the world. www.itu.int
About IMPACT
The International Multilateral Partnership Against Cyber Threats (IMPACT) is the cybersecurity executing arm of the United Nations’ specialised agency – the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). As the world’s first UN-backed comprehensive alliance against cyber threats, IMPACT brings together governments, academia and industry experts to enhance the global community’s capabilities in dealing with cyber threats.
Based in Cyberjaya, Malaysia, IMPACT is the operational home of ITU’s Global Cybersecurity Agenda (GCA). IMPACT provides ITU’s 193 Member States access to expertise, facilities and resources to effectively address cyber threats, as well as assisting United Nations agencies in protecting their ICT infrastructures. For more information, visit www.impact-alliance.org
