Doha: The National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) held Monday a workshop on “Information Security Department Mandates and Operating Models”, bringing together representatives from all government entities, along with several private sector organizations.
According to Qatar News Agency, the workshop was held in alignment with the directive issued by the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau regarding the mandates and operating models of the Information Security Department. It underscores NCSA’s commitment to enhancing national cybersecurity resilience by unifying efforts and clarifying the operational models of the Information Security Department across government entities. It also promotes the adoption of best practices and the implementation of effective strategies to safeguard national information assets.
Assistant Director of the Information Security Department at NCSA, Khalid Al Nasr emphasized the workshop’s significance: “This workshop unites public and private sector leaders, with cybersecurity experts under a shared national objective- enhancing cybersecurity readiness and establishing robust departments to safeguard government infrastructure from cyber threats.”
He added; “The workshop forms an integral part of the National Cybersecurity Strategy 2024 ‘2030, which aims to elevate cybersecurity maturity across all sectors. These efforts directly support the realization of Qatar National Vision 2030.”
NCSA presented a comprehensive model for the Information Security Department, detailing its structural framework, core objectives, department functions, and internal cyber incident response protocols.
The workshop also featured presentations from several organizations. Qatar Central Bank delivered a keynote presentation, while the Ministry of Finance shared insights from its experience in establishing a dedicated Information Security Department. Additionally, several private sector organizations also presented their operational models, highlighting their significance in achieving strategic objectives.
The workshop included specialized sessions covering topics such as the development of adaptable cybersecurity roles, strategic foundations for cybersecurity in the public sector, and a panel discussion on the role of the Information Security Department in fulfilling strategic organizational objectives.
A dedicated interactive session allowed participants to exchange expertise, discuss emerging challenges, and explore the latest developments in information security through reinforcing business methodologies and promoting the unification of efforts among information security departments across government entities.