Muscat: The Environment Authority launched today the second version of the “Washaq” supervisory system, which represents one of the digital solutions supporting the regulatory and inspection efforts at the Authority. This launch took place within the activities of the third edition of the Cyber Security Awareness Week.
The organization of the week comes in cooperation with strategic partners, represented by the Cyber Defense Centre and the Advanced Cybersecurity Academy.
The event was held under the auspices of Dr. Abdullah Ali Al Amri, Chairman of the Authority.
This move comes within the framework of the Authority’s efforts aimed at enhancing information security, protecting environmental data, and securing modern and emerging technologies used in its inspection and supervisory systems. Additionally, it seeks to raise the level of cybersecurity awareness and enhance the digital readiness of employees and participating government institutions.
Ahmed Sulaiman Al Husaini, Director of the Digital Transformation Department and Head of the Information Security Section at the Environment Authority, stated in his speech that the Cyber Security Awareness Week, which was launched in 2022, started as an initiative to spread awareness and has today become one of the fundamental pillars of the Authority’s institutional culture and its digital readiness. He explained that electronic security has today become the first line of defense for business continuity, ensuring institutional resilience, and protecting their digital assets.
He added that this year’s edition is distinguished by the participation of academic institutions, government entities, and specialized companies, alongside the presence of a select group of cybersecurity leaders in the government sector. This reflects the concept of shared responsibility in protecting the national digital space, enhancing governance, and managing risks.
The activities of the week witnessed the holding of an accompanying exhibition with the participation of a number of specialized companies in the field of cybersecurity and digital technologies. During the exhibition, these companies showcased the latest global solutions, technologies, and practices in the field of data protection and digital risk management, which contributes to enhancing the electronic security culture among various targeted groups.
Furthermore, the Environment Authority signed a consultancy agreement with ITHCA Group to implement the Environmental Data Bank project. This project aims to develop an integrated ecosystem for managing environmental data and enhancing its utilization in supporting decision-making and future planning.
The activities of the awareness week include presenting a number of specialized working papers that address the latest trends and challenges in the field of cybersecurity. These include a paper titled “Cybersecurity Concerns Associated with Artificial Intelligence” and another paper titled “Cyber Risks on the Leadership Table: Legal and Institutional Responsibility of Top Management.”
It is worth noting that the activities of the awareness week aim to enhance awareness of electronic risks and consolidate the concepts of the safe and responsible use of digital technologies.
