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The Qatar-based IT services and solutions provider Meeza has launched an Information Security Awareness Programme that aims to improve digital security awareness and resilience among organisations in the country. |
The programme has been launched to coincide and align with the National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM), which is observed every year in October by countries like the US, Canada, Singapore and the UK.
“The Middle East’s digital landscape has profoundly evolved over the last few years, attributed mainly to the unprecedented increase in levels of connectivity, the proliferation of social media and smartphones, and the growing trend towards enterprise mobility. This led to a dramatic increase in the risk exposure of organisations to cyber-attacks,” said Meeza CEO Ghada Philip el-Rassi.
She stressed that cyber security has become a growing concern for businesses and governments across the region.
A survey conducted recently by PricewaterhouseCoopers concluded that cybercrime is now the second most reported economic crime in the Middle East, with 37% of victims reporting incidents of cybercrime, compared to the global average of 24%. The study further forecasts that cybercrime will continue to be a growing trend of criminality in the years to come.
“Raising awareness levels on information security risks and enhancing incident response capability through ongoing training and education programmes are crucial to effectively mitigate cyber-attacks, which are becoming increasingly sophisticated and sustained,” el-Rassi noted.
Running throughout October, el-Rassi said the Meeza Information Security Awareness Programme seeks to educate employees on cyber threats and convey key information security messages through weekly presentations, information videos, educational posters, and other media.
“It is also aimed at making resources (tips and best practices) needed to stay safer and secure online easily and readily available to users. The topics to be presented range from online safety awareness to cybercrime and law enforcement,” el-Rassi said.
“The Misam (Meeza Information Security Awareness Month) is part of our continuing efforts to adopt global best practices, as we endeavour to increase the resiliency of our organisation by ensuring employees are equipped and able to efficiently and effectively react to security threats and breaches,” she said.
The annual cost of cybercrime is estimated at $444bn, according to a report released last year by financial advisory and consulting firm Deloitte.
To coincide with Misam, el-Rassi said Meeza will be hosting the second GCC Digital Security Forum to in Doha in October next year.
The forum will bring together high-level experts representing governments and corporates from around the Gulf region, building on the success of the event’s inaugural edition held earlier this year, she added.
