Page 30 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2023

FEATURED SAMENA TRENDS

“Aiming to unite global action around the shared
principles and values, the GCF Institute will tackle
the most challenging cybersecurity issues facing
governments, businesses, and individuals,” a
statement by the GCF Institute said, adding that it
will be a “catalyst for the exchange of ideas, driving

thought leadership and developing research to
inform policy solutions and action.”

“Aiming to unite global action around the shared principles and values, the
GCF Institute will tackle the most challenging cybersecurity issues facing
governments, businesses, and individuals,” a statement by the GCF Institute
said, adding that it will be a “catalyst for the exchange of ideas, driving thought
leadership and developing research to inform policy solutions and action.”

Founded by the Saudi government's National Cybersecurity Authority, the GCF
Institute, which will be headquartered in Riyadh, will have an Advisory Council,
composed of international experts carefully drawn from the government,
academia, think-tanks, and the private sector. The GCFI is an international
non-profit organization, with administrative and financial autonomy. To drive
the achievement of its objectives, the GCFI has an established governance
architecture. This includes a Board of Trustees, Advisory Council, and Chief
Executive Officer (CEO). The Institute carries the objective of bringing in
experts and decision-makers from around the world over “to meet and
discuss protecting the most vulnerable in cyberspace, while maximizing its
benefits for everyone."

The GCFI’s establishment comes ahead of the Global Cybersecurity Forum in
Riyadh in November 2023, during which SAMENA Council, building onto
discussions held on securing cyberspace and building digital trust during its
Leaders' Summit 2023 in May, will also contribute insights in representation
of the private sector.

Saudi Arabia’s Cybersecurity Recognized Globally

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has secured Saudi Arabia has cemented its leadership
second place in the global Cybersecurity position through several initiatives to build
Index in the World Competitiveness a sound and sustainable cybersecurity
Yearbook (WCY) for 2023 by the ecosystem in the Kingdom. The
Swiss-based International Institute for International Telecommunications Union
Management Development (IMD). Saudi (ITU) has also designated the Kingdom as
Arabia also ranked 17th overall in 2023 – a global leader in cybersecurity, ranking
jumping by seven places from 2022 – in Saudi Arabia second on its Global Cyber and government services and activities
the overall competitiveness ranking. Security Index. from cyber threats. NCA sets the
necessary standards for licensing the
With Saudi Arabia frequently ranking NCA is the primary national authority for import, export, and use of hardware and
among the top economies in the world cyber concerns in the Kingdom. It works software in terms of cybersecurity, while
for cybersecurity, the latest recognition to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s cyberspace, ensuring compliance with these
by IIMD is a testament to the efforts of enabling it to protect national security standards. NCA’s work contributes to the
entities like the National Cybersecurity and vital state interests. The Authority creation of a secure and thriving economy
Authority (NCA), one of Saudi Arabia’s key defends the Kingdom’s critical that guarantees the prosperity of Saudi
national security enablers. infrastructure, priority economic sectors, Arabia, and its people.

30 MAY-JUNE 2023