Georgetown University in Qatar and the Community College of Qatar (CCQ) have jointly launched the inaugural Cyber Security Research Group (CSRG).
A large audience of security experts, scholars, and leaders from government and business sector were present at the event to discuss “Cyber Security in a Small State: Protecting the Homeland.”
Sponsored by Commercial Bank and featuring Will Wilson, a cyber security industry expert based in Edinburgh, as a keynote speaker, the event delivered the message that cyber security is one of the most vital issues facing individuals, institutions, and nations today.
“What is really needed is to not only re-imagine ways to meet these novel threats but to do so before they occur, so we can be ahead of them,” said co-convener and a panellist, Dr Rory Miller, a professor of government at GU-Q.
The event was launched with welcome remarks from Dr Ahmad Dallal, dean of GU-Q and Dr Mohamed al-Naemi, president of CCQ.
Dr Mohamed al-Dorani, professor of Cyber Security and Networking and chair of the Information Technology Department at CCQ, also was a panellist.
He stressed the critical role of the research group, citing cyber security issue as an essential priority.
“The research aims to fulfil the cyber security aspect of Qatar Vision 2030 which constitutes a beacon that guides economic, social, human and environmental development of Qatar in the coming decades, so that it is inclusive and helpful to the citizens and residents of Qatar in various aspects of life,” he said.
Dr Miller also touched on the benefits of organising a cyber research group that capitalises on the complementary strengths of each partner university.
He noted that CCQ trains Qatari engineers and cyber security experts and GU-Q trains their students to understand and respond to the rapidly changing and complex geo-strategic environment.
“Excellent Cyber Security is key to economic development and to the prosperity of us all. Commercial Bank is very pleased to support this important initiative that increases Qatar’s cyber awareness and capability,” said Dr Leonie Lethbridge, chief operating officer and executive general manager of Commercial Bank.
The partnership between the two universities come at a time of increased turbulence in regional and international affairs, and in a digital landscape that is constantly evolving, requiring an understanding of security policies to adopt new measures to tackle emerging threats.
The group plans to host an array of international experts to discuss the concerns across different sectors, including business, banking, and the military, but its main focus will be on bringing together Doha-based experts in a cyber research group at regular intervals to initiate cutting-edge projects that focus on key issues in the cyber realm relevant to local stakeholders and Qatar.
Will Wilson speaking at the event.
