With increased digitalisation, companies are facing higher risks across their supply chain as they seek to outsource processes and move more operations into the cloud, according to a top government official.
“The threat landscape is growing as the level of digitalisation increases across society,” Khalid al-Hashmi, assistant undersecretary, Cyber Security, Q-Cert (Qatar Computer Emergency Response Team) told Euromoney conference, which concluded yesterday.
In his keynote address, he said Qatar is making important progress in the role of technology, innovation and the measures in place to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
“We’re seeing that companies are now facing a higher level of risk across their supply chain, as they look to outsource more processes and move more operations into the cloud,” he said.
Q-Cert is working in alliance with regional and international bodies to exchange information about online risks and ensure the highest level of protection for Qatar, he said. Focusing on the importance of training and education, he detailed Q-Cert’s work to “train the trainers” in the private sector and build security championships in small businesses and startups, to create a robust cyber security framework that will enable companies to innovate and digitalise their assets safely.
The work of Q-Cert was cited as one of the key stabilising factors in the panel discussion on “Digitalising Qatar,” which looked at Qatar’s strategic priorities in the digitalisation process.
“Like many developed nations, Qatar is still realising its digital potential, working hard to promote programmes that enable citizens to access services and realise their ambitions through digital channels,” according to Sara Alkhelaifi, computer engineer (Financial Stability and Cyber Security), the Qatar Central Bank.
Providing an international perspective of the opportunities, Laurence Leyden, general manager, Financial Services EMEA (Europe Middle East and Africa), SAP, said digitalisation is effectively putting power in the hands of the customers, enabling them to execute processes and access the services they want digitally.
“This requires companies and organisations to rethink their systems and build a neural approach around customer behaviour,” he said.
Khalid Abdulla al-Mana, executive director of business finance at the QCB, gave a historical perspective on Qatar’s recent development.
“Qatar is blessed with strong hydrocarbon assets and we are now focusing on diversification in order to ensure sustainable growth beyond oil and gas. Over the past five years, I’ve seen the same level of focus shown in terms of developing the SME and start-up sector as our nation showed in developing its liquid natural gas industry, which bodes very well for the future,” he added.
“We see that innovation and entrepreneurialism can be taught and nurtured and that a flourishing ecosystem can make an important contribution to national growth and development,” according to Aysha al-Mudahka, chief executive of Qatar Business Incubation Centre.





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