Muscat: The Hadatha Cybersecurity Industry Exhibition, held as part of the activities of the 7th Cybersecurity Forum, showcased innovative products, services, and solutions from national startups, enhancing their competitive capabilities and enabling them to access local, regional, and international markets.
The opening of the exhibition was held under the auspices of Eng. Said Hamoud Al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology.
The exhibition hosts 6 national startups and 4 prototypes resulting from Hadatha centres, developed by Omani talents seeking to turn their innovative ideas into promising cyber solutions. This embodies the efforts of Omani youth in developing specialised national cybersecurity products and solutions, as well as leveraging the innovation and support environment provided by the program, thereby contributing to the development of national projects, elevating them to advanced stages of development and maturity, and enhancing their presence in the cybersecurity market.
Eng. Badr Ali Al Salhi, Director General of the National Computer Emergency Readiness Team (OCERT), explained that the launch of the Hadatha Exhibition comes as an embodiment of the importance of partnership between the public and private sectors, integrating efforts to develop the cybersecurity sector, promote innovation, empower national companies, and open new horizons for cooperation and investment in this promising industry.
He explained that the exhibition represents an important milestone in the journey of developing the cybersecurity industry in the Sultanate of Oman, reflecting the orientation toward building a promising national sector whose role is not limited to protecting the digital space, but extends to serve as a driver for economic growth, an engine for innovation, and a source for creating job opportunities and attracting investments.
He pointed out that cybersecurity is no longer confined to protecting systems, data, and digital infrastructure, but has become an integrated industry based on knowledge and innovation. It includes specialised companies, national products, technical services, and qualified competencies, opening wider horizons for investment and export, and boosting the sector's contribution to the national economy.
He added that the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology adopted the Hadatha Cybersecurity Industry Programme as one of the executive programmes of the National Digital Economy Programme, in line with the targets of Oman Vision 2040. He explained that the programme seeks to establish a new phase in the sector's trajectory, transforming the view of cybersecurity from being a necessity for protecting digital assets into a specialised national industry based on human capital, innovation, creativity, and excellence, offering broader opportunities for Omani companies, entrepreneurs, and investors.
The Director General of the National Computer Emergency Readiness Team at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology stated that the programme is based on 6 integrated strategic pillars, including developing national skills and competencies, promoting innovation, empowering startups and small and medium enterprises, stimulating the market and attracting investments, and enhancing the export of Omani services and expertise, alongside awareness, marketing, and partnership building, supporting the growth of the cybersecurity industry in the Sultanate of Oman and consolidating its position as a promising sector contributing to building a secure and sustainable digital economy.