Cybersecurity during the world cup: Qatar vows an open and secure cyberspace

Saad Al-Kharji, head of QCDC’s Career Programs and Services department, discusses cybersecurity and related disciplines in an interview that follows the Cabinet’s decision to award cyber security staff at the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) a 50% allowance of the basic salary.

1. How important is cybersecurity to Qatar, and why?
The technology revolution has connected billions of people around the world, disrupted traditional business models, and fuelled innovation and growth. But with these rewards came emerging cross-border risks in the form of cyberattacks targeting data and critical infrastructure. Protection against these threats has topped the agenda of developed countries in recent years, as attacks increased in pace and sophistication.
Today, the world suffers billions of dollars in annual losses due to cyberattacks that have cost a compounded 6 trillion dollars by 2021.
To address these challenges, Qatar has stepped up its efforts and bolstered cooperation with its partners worldwide to ensure an open and secure cyberspace.
Qatari efforts in the field date back to 2013 when the Prime Minister’s office established the National Cyber Security Committee, which in turn outlined Qatar’s National Cyber Security Strategy. Centred around five key pillars the strategy includes: safeguarding the nation’s critical information infrastructure; responding to and recovering from cyberattacks; establishing a regulatory and legal framework that ensure a safe and secure cyberspace; and lastly, enhancing capabilities and fostering a culture of cyber security.
Also, the National Cyber Security Agency was established last year by the Emiri Decree No. 1 of year 2021. The agency is responsible for implementing and supervising matters related to national cyber risks, raising preparedness and resilience against cyberattacks, and protecting vital infrastructure among other responsibilities.

2. Where does Qatar stand today in these aspects?
Over the past years, Qatar has cemented its position in the digital world, offering smart digital services to citizens and connecting various industries online as part of its digital transformation strategy. Qatar has also invested in training expert teams to guard against sudden attacks, particularly considering the growing use of electronic devices and online accounts across various platforms.
Qatar is now one of the most digitally advanced countries in the Arab world and the Middle East. Its digital infrastructure empowers innovation in the services of the technology sector and lays the foundation for a vibrant digital economy. The state is likely to spend $9 billion by 2024 on the telecommunications and information technology sectors, in order to meet the needs and requirements of customers across all fields.
In terms of legislation, Qatar is one of the few countries in the region that has enacted laws on cybercrime and cyberattacks, with penalties of up to three years in prison and fines reaching 100,000 Qatari riyals.
Today, the country aspires to provide a 100% secure digital environment by fighting cyberattacks, which explains the Cabinet’s decision to award cyber security staff at the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) a 50% allowance of the basic salary. The decision reflects the increasing importance the state attaches to promoting cybersecurity and staying up to date on the latest developments in the field.
Qatar’s success in this regard will inspire a new generation of cyber security experts to contribute to strengthening the country’s position as a hub for technology and innovation, a key objective of QCDC, which seeks to propel Qatar in its journey towards a diversified, knowledge-based economy.

3. How is QCDC contributing to national efforts in this regard?
While the government leads efforts to safeguard national systems and networks against attacks, other organizations and institutions, both private and public, have also played a key role in the process.
QCDC has played a major role in promoting one of the key pillars of Qatar’s National Cyber Security Strategy in terms of fostering a culture of cyber security.
As the country’s leader in career guidance services, QCDC spearheads efforts to promote the cybersecurity field among youth. The Center utilizes its various educational and interactive programs to introduce students to the academic and career opportunities the cybersecurity industry offers.
For instance, the eighth edition of QCDC’s “Career Guide” magazine touched on what it takes to become a cybersecurity engineer, introducing youth and students to the various professions in the field. The issue also featured an interview with Mr. Abdullah Ahmed Abdul Ali, Director of Information Technology at the Ministry of Economy, and Commerce, discussing the professional competencies and the personal skills that cybersecurity experts must possess.

4. How do these efforts reflect on the lives of ordinary citizens?
Average citizens may not realize the direct impact of these massive cybersecurity efforts on their lives. Therefore, it is important to refer to the annual report issued by Trend Micro, a pioneer in the field of cybersecurity, which indicates that Qatar thwarted more than 4 million attacks via e-mail in 2021 and responded to more than 1.6 million malware attacks. The report highlighted the growing threat of cyberattacks against individuals and digital infrastructure in a hybrid business environment, with Trend Micro itself preventing nearly 7 million attacks against potential victims of malicious links in Qatar.

5. Is Qatar prepared for the World Cup in the cybersecurity field?
Qatar’s leading initiatives in the field of cybersecurity will be on display during the FIFA World Cup 2022, the world’s top sporting event.
As part of its preparations to ensure a safe travel experience for visitors and World Cup fans, Qatari institutions are implementing state of the art technology to monitor cyberattacks and address potential threats.
These efforts span several industries with Qatar Rail lately deploying its Cyber Security Operations Centre to secure the Doha Metro system and network.
Through these measures, Qatar aims to demonstrate its commitment to both residents and visitors’ safety and ensure the reliability of key infrastructure, such as transportation services, to provide a seamless fan experience during the 2022 World Cup.

6. How do you comment on the Cabinet’s decision to award cyber security staff at the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) a 50% allowance of the basic salary?

The decision reflects the great importance that the Qatari leadership attaches to promoting cybersecurity, which has received a great deal of attention from His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of Qatar, given its importance to the security and stability of the region and the world.
In terms of legislation, Qatar is one of the few countries in the region that has enacted laws on cybercrime and cyberattacks, with penalties of up to three years in prison and fines reaching 100,000 Qatari riyals.
Today, the country aspires to provide a 100% secure digital environment by fighting cyberattacks, which explains the Cabinet’s decision and reflects the increasing importance the state attaches to promoting cybersecurity and keeping up to date on the latest developments in the field.

7. How will the Cabinet’s decision increase interest in cybersecurity specializations?

In 2022, Qatar’s cyber security market was estimated at $1.016 trillion, and is expected to grow by 12.7% annually to reach $1.642 trillion in 2026.
These numbers indicate the growing need for qualified specialists, capable of addressing the serious challenges posed by the rapid developments taking place around the world. Through such initiatives, the government seeks to raise awareness about the importance of protecting vital industries and improving cybersecurity, an emphasis that is neglected by many Qatari youth. This is usually due to a lack of awareness about the field or the influence that families and social pressure may have on students’ choice of career tracks, that in turn fail to account for labour market dynamics and personal skills that youth can leverage.
Therefore, it is necessary to highlight in-demand jobs in new technological fields that keep pace with developments around the world.

8. How do you believe national cadres could be encouraged to join this vital industry?

There is no doubt that such initiatives as the one at hand encourage Qatari talents to engage in the cybersecurity field, and they also highlight the diversity of the industry, which in turn opens the door for the recruitment of specialized Qatari expertise in various branches of cybersecurity such as data security, data encryption, network protection, engineering, social engineering, and information and communication systems, etc.

9. How do you assess academic and university majors in the field of cyber security? Are the current programs sufficient to meet the state’s need?

Currently, cyber security-related majors are taught in several educational institutions across the country.
The College of Science and Engineering at Hamad Bin Khalifa University offers a Master of Science in Cybersecurity, which is an interdisciplinary program aimed at training and equipping graduates, experts, entrepreneurs, leaders and researchers with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the advanced techniques, tools and methodologies in the field of cybersecurity, as well as cybersecurity-related policies.
In early 2022, Qatar University was also selected among 47 public and private universities and institutions to offer the Erasmus Mundus joint master’s degree in Cybersecurity. Students in Qatar can now apply for the program which will feature courses by university faculty members. QU laboratories will also host researchers affiliated with the program for a period of up to 5 months.
The Doha University of Science and Technology also offers a Bachelor of Applied Science in Data and Cyber Security, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Information Systems, and Information Technology, with a focus on data and cyber security. The Community College in Qatar, on the other hand, offers a Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security, Network Security, and Information Technology, to prepare students for entry-level positions in the information technology sector as security analysts, network security support specialists, network security auditors, security experts (ethical hackers), or other functions related to network and information security.
The Qatar Cyber Security Academy, which was established by Barzan Holdings in partnership with Raytheon, a major defence company, also develops programs focused on honing talents and cybersecurity careers as well as providing the tools, knowledge, and skills necessary to graduate competent professionals.
Lusail University has also expanded its majors with 15 academic programs in the fields of arts and sciences, including a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with a focus on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, or design and development of electronic games.

10. Considering the growing modern-day challenges in terms of piracy and cybersecurity, is there a need for additional specializations at the university and postgraduate level in Qatar?

The educational sector has taken the initiative to keep pace with modern trends in cybersecurity specializations, so that students can choose to pursue their specialty of choice. That said, QCDC will continue to instil a culture of career guidance and raise awareness about the industry and the latest career trends in the Qatari economy to ensure that youth choose career tracks that align with their skills, potentials, and interests, while serving the country’s interests and objectives.

11. Do you believe cybersecurity should be taught as an elective course in schools as well?
Exposure to new disciplines at an early age is likely to influence a student’s career choice. This can be achieved through a wide range of activities and events to engage youth and discover their potential, skills, interests, and career ambitions.
We also need to anticipate and prepare for the future by identifying emerging career trends driven by rapid technological developments and their impact on the education sector and labor market. A study conducted by QCDC years ago found that about 65% of children enrolled in primary schools will likely work in emerging jobs that do not exist today. Also, according to the World Economic Forum, many of today’s routine jobs such as administrative office work, will fade. In turn, employment opportunities in architecture, engineering, computer and mathematics sectors are expected to grow greatly.