Qatar is investing heavily to better secure the country’s technological infrastructure, a Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMUQ) professor has said.

Thierry Sans, assistant teaching professor of computer science, was addressing an executive education course targeting local information technology professionals and web developers to help them better understand challenges in securing web applications within their
organisations.

Attended by 47 executives, the workshop benefited Qatari organisations that CMUQ has built strategic partnerships with, including Qatar Foundation, Lakhwiya, the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics, Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, Qatar Central Bank, RasGas, Qatar Airways, Ooredoo, Commercial Bank of Qatar, Al Jazeera Media Network, Al Faisal Holding and Ezdan
Holding.

As part of the university’s commitment to research into areas of national priority, Sans is creating new programming languages that will make future applications more secure.

“Internet penetration is higher in Qatar than anywhere else in the world. The more people who use the Internet, the more threats you are going to have,” Sans said.

“In order to address this higher risk, Qatar is investing heavily in research, for example CMUQ is collaborating with Qatar Computing Research Institute and setting up a committee to develop innovative solutions to better secure Qatar’s technological infrastructure,” Sans added.

In line with national needs, the emerging web security industry is creating a demand for skilled information technology professionals with experience in computer science. Following security breaches in 2013, cyber security is high on the agenda for Qatar; in February a cybercrime law received cabinet
approval.

Sans said: “Computer science graduates are in high demand in Qatar to help secure local web applications and CMUQ computer science graduates are equipped to help combat the growing need for specialists in the field.”

CMUQ also held an executive education course in February, focusing on e-business strategies. More than 207 professionals from key Qatari organisations had attended the workshops.

Ilker Baybars, dean of CMUQ, said the range of courses reflect the university’s commitment to national capacity building in line with Qatar’s National Development Strategy 2011-2016 and Qatar National Vision 2030.