The National Cybersecurity Authority is participating as a strategic partner in the World Defense Show, organized by the General Authority for Military Industries in Riyadh. This participation reflects the Authority's pivotal role in strengthening the Kingdom's security and defense system and highlighting its leading global position in the field of cybersecurity.
General context: Cybersecurity as a key pillar of Vision 2030
In light of the massive digital transformation underway in Saudi Arabia as part of its Vision 2030 objectives, cybersecurity has emerged as a vital element for ensuring business continuity and protecting critical infrastructure and national interests. Recognizing this importance, the National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) was established in 2017 by royal decree to serve as the Kingdom's central authority on all cybersecurity matters. Since then, the NCA has worked to develop national strategies, legislation, and standards aimed at building a secure and reliable Saudi cyberspace that enables growth and prosperity. Its participation in global platforms such as the World Defence Exhibition underscores this strategic direction.
The importance of the World Defence Exhibition as a strategic platform
The World Defence Exhibition is one of the leading international events in the defence and security sector, bringing together industry leaders, decision-makers, and experts from around the world. The exhibition provides a unique platform to showcase the latest technologies and innovations across the five defence domains: land, sea, air, space, and security. In this context, cybersecurity is no longer a separate domain but has become an integral part of all these domains, as modern defence systems rely heavily on networks and data, making their protection a top priority. The Authority's participation highlights this vital intersection between traditional defence and cyber defence.
Strategic pillars for enhancing national capabilities
During its participation, the Authority will showcase its three strategic pillars: “Defense, Empowerment, and Development”.
- Defense: This axis focuses on enhancing the Kingdom’s cyber defense capabilities through proactive threat monitoring, effective response to cyber incidents, and sharing information and analysis with national entities to protect critical networks and systems.
- Empowerment: The Authority works to empower national entities by providing innovative tools and solutions through the National Cybersecurity Services Portal “Haseen”, which provides services that contribute to raising the level of cyber maturity of those entities and unifying national efforts.
- Development: This section includes the Authority’s programs and initiatives to develop the cybersecurity sector, build specialized human competencies and capabilities, encourage entrepreneurship, and attract local and international investments to create a sustainable and prosperous cyber ecosystem.
Expected impact: To consolidate Saudi Arabia's regional and international leadership
Domestically, this participation strengthens integration among the Kingdom's various security and defense entities. Regionally, it solidifies Saudi Arabia's position as a leader in cybersecurity and provides a model that neighboring countries can utilize to build their capabilities. Internationally, this participation sends a clear message that the Kingdom is an active and influential player in the global cybersecurity landscape and a reliable partner in confronting shared threats, thus opening new horizons for international cooperation, the exchange of expertise, and attracting high-quality investments to the promising Saudi market.
