NCA concludes cybersecurity exercise for Hajj season

Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — The National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) has completed its “Cybersecurity Exercise for the Hajj Season 1445H,” involving over 200 national entities and more than 600 officials and cybersecurity specialists. The exercise, attended by Prince Dr. Bandar bin Mishari, Assistant Minister of Interior for Technology Affairs, and NCA Governor Eng. Majed Al-Mazyed, was held in Jeddah over two days.

This initiative is part of the authority’s ongoing cybersecurity enhancement program, designed to bolster the cyber defenses of entities participating in the Hajj and to advance the capabilities of their cybersecurity professionals. Participants engaged in simulations of various cyberattacks, applying cyber incident response mechanisms and undertaking both technical and administrative activities. These exercises aimed to foster innovative solutions to emerging cybersecurity challenges and threats, aligning with the highest standards and practices.

The event utilized a specialized platform developed and operated in collaboration with the Saudi Information Technology Company (SITE), the technical arm of the NCA. This platform is crafted to design tailored cybersecurity exercises and develop scenarios that mirror the latest trends in cyber threats and attacks, thereby augmenting the preparedness of all involved entities.