Interview: Abdulrahman Ali Al Farahid Al Malki, President, National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA), on evolving cybersecurity regulations and how emerging technologies can protect infrastructure
How are ICT-related public bodies evolving cybersecurity strategies to safeguard against emerging threats in an increasingly digitised economy?
ABDULRAHMAN ALI AL FARAHID AL MALKI: Qatar’s ICT-related public bodies, such as the NCSA, continuously refine cybersecurity strategies to protect critical digital infrastructure, secure financial transactions and safeguard electronic services from evolving threats. These efforts focus on strengthening international cooperation and reinforcing digital financial controls to ensure the stability and security of the digital economy. The National Cybersecurity Strategy for the period 2024-30 provides a framework to enhance digital resilience, protect critical infrastructure and support the secure adoption of modern technologies.
A core aspect of this strategy is fostering cross-sector collaboration by uniting national efforts to combat cyberthreats, strengthening regulatory and legal frameworks in line with technological advancement and facilitating secure information sharing. Additionally, it prioritises raising cybersecurity awareness, developing national digital capabilities, and encouraging research and innovation to ensure the safe and sustainable use of digital technologies. As Qatar continues its digital transformation with smart city technologies and 5G connectivity, ensuring the resilience of critical infrastructure remains a top priority.
To what extent can public and private sector collaboration be improved to enhance cybersecurity measures and protect the digital economy?
AL MALKI: Public-private sector collaboration is a core pillar of Qatar’s cybersecurity strategy. Securing the digital economy requires collective effort from both government entities and private organisations. The National Cybersecurity Strategy prioritises strengthening such cooperation to create a secure cyberspace that supports economic growth and digital innovation. Strategic partnerships have been established with key organisations, such as Qatar Financial Centre and Qatar Free Zones Authority, to facilitate knowledge exchange, improve cybersecurity practices, and build trust between public and private sector stakeholders to enhance this collaboration. One significant initiative is a digital service provider accreditation programme, which ensures that private cybersecurity service providers comply with national standards. This fosters confidence in the quality of security solutions available in the market. Additionally, efforts are being made to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in strengthening their cybersecurity resilience. This includes the publication of cybersecurity guidelines tailored to SMEs and initiatives like the Qatar Common Criteria Scheme, which helps establish trust in cybersecurity products provided by the private sector.
Where can new technologies be integrated into cybersecurity frameworks to protect infrastructure?
AL MALKI: With Qatar’s digital transformation rapidly accelerating, integrating emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT) and blockchain into cybersecurity frameworks is critical for enhancing the security and resilience of national ICT infrastructure. These technologies offer advanced capabilities significantly improving threat detection, mitigation and response. To ensure their effective adoption, comprehensive strategies are being developed to leverage AI for real-time threat analysis, implement IoT security protocols to protect interconnected systems and utilise blockchain for secure and transparent data management. Alongside technological advancement, legal frameworks are being established to regulate its application. Global collaboration also plays a vital role in this process, as international partnerships enable knowledge exchange and collective defence strategies against sophisticated cyberthreats. By aligning innovation with regulation and global best practices, Qatar is ensuring that its cybersecurity frameworks remain robust and adaptable to the evolving digital landscape.
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