Riyadh, 22 April 2025 (24 Shawwal 1446H)

The National Cybersecurity Authority announced the launch of the "Fourth Gulf Cybersecurity Exercise" in Riyadh, with wide participation from cybersecurity specialists across Gulf Cooperation Council countries, alongside the GCC Secretariat-General, as part of joint efforts to strengthen cyber readiness against evolving threats.

The exercise is one of the largest Gulf initiatives in cybersecurity, aiming to:

  • Raise the readiness of technical teams in facing cyberattacks.
  • Strengthen cooperation among Gulf countries in the cyber field.
  • Build specialized capabilities to handle real-world scenarios.
  • Exchange expertise and benefit from lessons learned.

An Interactive Simulation on a Gulf Cybersecurity Platform

The exercise included an advanced simulation of a variety of cyberattacks, training participants on:

  1. Preparedness, detection and analysis mechanisms.
  2. Containment and recovery from incidents.
  3. Data sharing and results evaluation.

The exercises were conducted via an advanced electronic platform designed specifically for this purpose in partnership with the Saudi Information Technology Company (SITE), the authority's technical arm, a platform capable of developing realistic scenarios that mimic modern attack methods.

Integrated Gulf Cyber Cooperation

The exercise comes as part of the Gulf strategic vision for cybersecurity, adopted during the Third Ministerial Meeting on Cybersecurity of GCC countries held in Doha in November 2024, which included the launch of a cyber threat information-sharing platform, a step aimed at establishing an integrated information environment to protect Gulf cyberspace and strengthen digital security as a pillar for development and prosperity in the region.