Cybersecurity centre for Arab region launched

2013-03-04

Helen Martin

Virus Bulletin, UK

Editor: Helen Martin

Abstract

Oman hosts region's cybersecurity hub.

A regional cybersecurity centre for the Arab region has been launched at the headquarters of the Information Technology Authority (ITA) in Oman. Oman’s National Computer Emergency Readiness Team (OCERT) was selected in December to be the regional hub for cybersecurity across 21 countries in the Arab region. It is anticipated that, through its work, the centre will help enhance e-security initiatives and joint capabilities, as well as upgrade emergency response for information security incidents in the region. The

launch of the centre comes just days after the discovery of a $39m ATM heist against one of the leading financial services providers in the Sultanate of Oman, BankMuscat. The breach involved 12 re-loadable pre-paid travel cards that were tied to accounts in the bank. It is believed that the travel cards were duplicated before being used from multiple locations outside the country.

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