In an effort to beef up cyber security in the country and to protect Internet users, the Cabinet yesterday approved a draft Emiri decision on the creation of a National Centre for Cyber Security and the National Committee for Information Security.
Both the official bodies have been brought under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Interior. The Cabinet ratified a draft Emiri decision amending some provisions of Emiri Decision No 16 for 2014 that dealt with the jurisdiction of the ministries.
HE the Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani chaired the cabinet’s regular meeting at the Emiri Diwan.
After the meeting, HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud said the cabinet reviewed topics on the agenda, taking a set of decisions and measures.
According to the amendment of the first Emiri decision, information security is added to the responsibilities of the Ministry of Interior. In line with the second Emiri decision, the National Centre for Cyber Security will also be under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Interior, QNA said.
The new national centre is responsible for enhancing electronic security efforts in the country and putting in place the necessary plans for this in co-ordination with the entities concerned. Its tasks include the implementation and operation of the electronic security shield project and the national programme for registration and response, follow-up of cyber threats and attacks that may target government departments, and co-ordination with the related entities to undertake operations related to cyber security.
As per the third Emiri draft decision, the National Committee for Information Security is tasked with achieving sustainable development on all fronts through strategically directing cyber security efforts and implementing the objectives of the cyber security strategy, and co-operating with entities concerned.
Among the committee’s responsibilities are the adoption of the strategy in question and following up on its implementation, and supporting projects on securing the state’s information infrastructure.
In order to protect the privacy of personal data, the Cabinet endorsed a draft decision that stipulates that provisions of the law are applicable to personal data processed electronically or obtained before that.
The draft law included provisions related to the rights of individuals to protect the privacy of their personal data, obligations of the people in charge of processing and transferring information electronically. It also prohibits sending any electronic communication for the purpose of direct marketing to an individual without obtaining prior approval.
