In the era of digital communication, the importance of cybersecurity is growing—a reality recognized by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries as they seek to diversify their economies beyond oil and gas. Each of these nations has its own unique experience in this global race.

For decades, the GCC countries—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates—have structured their economies around oil and its markets. Today, however, they are undergoing a transformation from extractive industries to technology, innovation, e-governance, smart cities, and interconnected communities.

However, this endeavour faces a dual challenge: reducing reliance on oil revenues while addressing the rising threat of cyberattacks. The Middle East is constantly evolving in terms of cybersecurity risks, with institutions increasingly subjected to attacks, extortion, and financial losses. These risks have escalated to the point where the cost of a cyberattack in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates exceeds the global average by 69%.

Therefore, protective measures are no longer an option but a strategic necessity for governments that have begun to shape the landscape of cybersecurity.

Oman, guided by its Vision 2040, prioritized the growth of information and communication technology. The establishment of the Omani National Computer Emergency Readiness Team in 2010 marked a significant milestone, followed a decade later by the creation of the Cyber Defence Centre. The team has worked on formulating recommendations, conducting training, and ensuring privacy in e-government services, with notable compliance and collaboration from Omani companies. Subsequently, the Sultanate launched a personal data protection law and specific policies for IT governance, including artificial intelligence systems. It also fostered regional cooperation through the Arab Regional Cybersecurity Centre affiliated with the International Telecommunication Union.

Oman's experience is similar to that of Qatar, which has established a similar team responsible for responding to emergencies and protecting critical infrastructure and information in coordination with government and private entities, as well as citizens. Qatar also has a national cybersecurity committee that ensures institutions adhere to standard practices and defines the fundamental principles of operation, given the country's membership in the Global Forum on Incident Response and Cybersecurity Teams. Additionally, Qatar adopts a national strategy that outlines the country's approach, capabilities, and vision, creating a conducive environment for businesses in the cybersecurity sector and qualifying it to host various events in this field.

Saudi Arabia has established frameworks, guidelines, and a Cybercrime Law, along with its first National Cybersecurity Strategy through its national authority responsible for regulatory and operational functions. This body issues frameworks and guidelines for e-commerce service providers, consumers, and financial institutions while collaborating with both governmental and private entities in alignment with Vision 2030. For example, the Kingdom has adopted a framework that restricts organizations from pursuing cybersecurity objectives from outside the country's borders and requires them to manage and process data internally. These efforts have been complemented by the Personal Data Protection Law and the Cyber Defence Centre, which have enhanced the Kingdom's digital resilience, leading to the launch of the Global Cybersecurity Forum and its ranking as the second globally in the Cybersecurity Index.

In this context, the United Arab Emirates has established a dedicated Cybersecurity Council focused on addressing various crimes, current and emerging technologies, and the rapid response to any future incidents. Additionally, it has issued a federal decree specifically targeting cybercrimes and misinformation, outlining all relevant definitions, penalties, and fines associated with these offenses, alongside initiatives, applications, and platforms for combating these issues, as well as a support line for digital well-being.

Bahrain has focused its national cybersecurity strategy on critical national infrastructure sectors, such as finance, government, healthcare, and others. This strategy is built on five key pillars: strong and resilient defences, effective governance and standards, awareness, collective defence, and workforce development. To achieve the last pillar, Bahrain developed a national registry for specialists and a training program for government employees and students, along with the dissemination of best practices, all in parallel with the rollout of a national framework for managing cybersecurity risks. Bahrain hosted the Arab International Cybersecurity Conference and Exhibition, bringing together regional and global experts.

Finally, the Kuwaiti experience has aligned its efforts in cybersecurity with the vision of "New Kuwait 2035." The Telecommunications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority has led awareness campaigns, information-sharing platforms, and security alerts, along with events and conferences aimed at enhancing collaboration among stakeholders in the field. Additionally, the Kuwait College of Science and Technology established the country's first cybersecurity centre.

While the experiences of all these countries intersected in terms of establishing legal frameworks, best practices, regional cooperation, awareness efforts, and working within consistent strategic visions, they also faced common challenges. These challenges included the ongoing evolution of threats related to increased online activity and the rising demand for cybersecurity professionals. In this regard, initiatives aimed at discovering, training, and empowering local talent have played a crucial role.

Thus, the efforts of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have crystallized in enhancing resilience, fortifying digital infrastructures, and protecting vital sectors.

Most importantly, the commitment of these governments to their goals and visions has positioned them as regional and global leaders in cybersecurity. They continue their digital journey with a focus on global leadership, characterized by clear regulations, a spirit of collaboration, and relentless pursuit, demonstrating that cooperation and innovation are the keys to the future.

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