Oman Launches Hadatha Center to Boost Cybersecurity and Digital Independence
▼ Summary
– Oman has launched the Hadatha Center for Cybersecurity Manufacturing at Middle East College to strengthen national cyber resilience and support the digital economy.
– The center is led by the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology in partnership with Middle East College as part of the National Executive Program for Cybersecurity Manufacturing.
– It aims to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and research by connecting government, private sector, investors, and academia to build a self-sustaining cybersecurity industry.
– The center will offer training, workshops, hackathons, and incubator programs to develop local talent and support Omani startups in cybersecurity.
– It will collaborate with Oman’s Fourth Industrial Revolution Center to integrate AI and emerging technologies into cybersecurity solutions, enhancing digital competitiveness.
Oman has officially inaugurated the Hadatha Center for Cybersecurity Manufacturing at Middle East College, a strategic initiative designed to fortify the nation’s cyber defenses and promote digital autonomy. This landmark project represents a significant advancement in Oman’s journey toward establishing a resilient digital economy and fostering a vibrant technology innovation landscape.
Spearheaded by the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology via the National Information Security Center, in collaboration with Middle East College, the center is a cornerstone of the National Executive Program for Cybersecurity Manufacturing. The program’s overarching objective is to position Oman as a regional leader in cybersecurity and digital innovation.
The Hadatha Center aims to cultivate a dynamic environment for innovation, entrepreneurship, and advanced research in the cybersecurity field. By uniting government bodies, private sector companies, investors, and academic institutions within a single cooperative framework, the initiative seeks to build a self-sufficient national cybersecurity industry. This approach is expected to create substantial economic opportunities and significantly reduce the nation’s dependence on imported technologies.
Aziza Sultan Al-Rashidia, Assistant Director General of Cybersecurity Programs at MTCIT, highlighted the strategic value of this endeavor. She stated that the ministry is deeply committed to nurturing the cybersecurity innovation ecosystem within Oman, recognizing innovation as an essential component for modern societies. The Hadatha Center is poised to be instrumental in cultivating local expertise, encouraging the development of inventive solutions, and propelling critical national projects forward.
The center has outlined an ambitious agenda featuring specialized training, hands-on research workshops, and innovation-centric events. An upcoming “Hadatha Hackathon” will task participants with devising solutions to address genuine cybersecurity challenges. Furthermore, the center will operate accelerator and incubator programs specifically designed to support promising Omani startups and facilitate the market integration of homegrown cybersecurity technologies.
In a complementary effort, the Hadatha Center will partner with Oman’s Fourth Industrial Revolution Center to embed artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies into cybersecurity frameworks. This collaboration is intended to substantially boost the Sultanate’s digital economy and enhance its competitive standing in the global innovation arena.
The establishment of the Hadatha Center powerfully underscores Oman’s long-term strategic vision. The nation is committed to constructing a robust, knowledge-driven economy founded on the principles of digital sovereignty, comprehensive talent development, and achieving technological self-reliance.
(Source: MEA Tech Watch)
