The Kingdom’s National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) today announced it will be hosting the first-of-its-kind Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF), held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The two-day event will take place this February in Riyadh.
The Forum will bring together a range of decision makers and experts from government, business, and academia, as well as investors and representatives of international organizations to address cyber opportunities, challenges, threats and risks. The discussions will aim to strengthen international collaboration, facilitate the launch of both national and international initiatives to create a secure and prosperous cyberworld as well as develop domestic capabilities in support of Vision 2030. The event reflects the rising importance of cybersecurity in today’s international business environment, as emphasized in HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s speech at this year’s G-20 Osaka Summit. The event will also coincide with Saudi Arabia’s presidency of the upcoming G-20 Summit in Riyadh, as well as major investment projects under Vision 2030.
According to the Global Cybersecurity Index issued by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Saudi Arabia is ranked as the top Arab nation and 13th in the world for its commitment to cybersecurity. The Forum will highlight Saudi Arabia’s current and future initiatives that aim at creating a secure cyberspace that enables growth and prosperity. The forum will also leverage the local and global economic opportunities presented by rapid technological changes to establish a globe-leading cybersecurity industry.