The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) celebrated the international day for air traffic controllers on Thursday.
It held celebrations at both Riyadh and Jeddah air traffic centers as well at the Saudi Aviation Academy.
Minister of Transport Suliman Alhamdan, who is also the chairman of GACA, expressed his thanks and appreciation to the air traffic control centers’ staff, stressing that this was the fruit of our investment in the human factors that are the real wealth of the nation.
He said the controllers went through rigorous training sessions and education regiments that GACA provided for them, whether at the Saudi Aviation Academy or through scholarship programs abroad.
He added that GACA enabled those young controllers to comprehend all of the latest technological advances in this field.
In a message sent to all the air traffic control staff, he said: “We celebrate this occasion with pride as our Saudization in this sector has reached 100 percent. Despite the increase of air traffic that the Kingdom’s airport and airspace is witnessing, we were able to employ a large number of Saudi air traffic controllers to keep up with this constant growth and ensure the safety and security of the Kingdom’s airspace.”
Assistant to GACA President for Communications and Marketing Bassem Alsalloum pointed out that GACA takes pride in joining the world in celebrating the international day for air traffic controllers.
Saleh Alghamdi, CEO of Air Navigation Service Company, explained that air navigational sector is witnessing the start of a new way of thinking where the old way of doing business has been replaced to ensure advanced performance to raise the operational efficiency and quality of services and costs, and toward augmenting revenue and make air navigational services profitable and sophisticated.
GACA celebrates international day for air traffic controllers
GACA celebrates international day for air traffic controllers
PwC Middle East and Sirar by stc’s CISO500 program advances cyber leadership
The fifth edition of the CISO500 program ran from Feb. 8-12. Delivered in partnership between PwC Middle East and Sirar by stc, the program featured five intensive days of rich discussions and hands-on practical experiences, aimed at strengthening leadership capabilities in cybersecurity and keeping pace with rapid technological transformation.
The program is designed to develop the capabilities of executive cybersecurity leaders and enhance their strategic role in supporting organizations’ digital transformation. It equips participants to address contemporary challenges in the cyber landscape and expand their influence within decision-making ecosystems.
Yasser Al-Swailem, CEO of Sirar by stc, said that the program represents an important step toward strengthening the readiness of cyber leaders in the region. He noted that the CISO500 program is a fundamental pillar in the journey toward building a secure and trusted Saudi cyberspace aligned with national ambitions. He added that investing in national cybersecurity leadership is no longer optional but a strategic necessity for ensuring sustainable digital development. The program reflects a commitment to empowering national talent to lead the digital security landscape according to the highest global standards.
He further emphasized that such initiatives contribute to strengthening digital security ecosystems and enabling organizations to confidently and sustainably address future challenges.
Samer Omar, cybersecurity and digital trust leader at PwC Middle East, added: “CISO500 is a long-term investment in Saudi leadership. Over the past year, we’ve seen how bringing together senior Saudi cybersecurity professionals in a structured executive environment accelerates capability, builds confidence and deepens collaboration. As the program enters its second year, our focus remains on equipping Saudi CISOs with the strategic perspective and technical depth required to secure the Kingdom’s digital ambitions.”
The program addressed a range of advanced topics, including common cyber transformation pitfalls, mechanisms for securing enterprise digital transformation, and cybersecurity budgeting and financial governance. These topics enhanced leaders’ ability to translate cyber risks and security investments into financial indicators that support executive decision-making.
It also covered the latest technological developments, particularly artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, quantum computing, and the protection of critical and operational infrastructure. Emphasis was placed on the importance of security governance for AI technologies and strengthening enterprise-wide risk management perspectives associated with them.
The program adopted an interactive learning methodology combining strategic discussions, collaborative work, and creative practical exercises, contributing to a deeper understanding of concepts and enabling their translation into applicable organizational practices.
Abdullah Al-Asmari, global cybersecurity director at the Saudi Research and Media Group and one of the program participants, said that the experience added significant strategic and practical value: “The program provided a rich experience that strengthened the leadership perspective of cybersecurity, particularly in linking technical practices with strategic and financial dimensions within the organization. It also offered valuable space for exchanging expertise on emerging technologies such as AI and quantum computing, and the challenges of securing critical infrastructure. This experience enhances cyber leaders’ ability to adopt a more influential role in supporting digital transformation and enabling decision-making based on a comprehensive understanding of risk and value.”
He added that the program facilitated the exchange of insights on emerging challenges and strengthened the ability to align cybersecurity with institutional objectives and executive decision requirements.
Participants said that the program constituted a valuable professional and knowledge-driven experience that enhanced the readiness of cyber leaders to keep pace with rapid digital transformation, reinforcing cybersecurity’s role as a strategic enabler that supports innovation while preserving business trust, reliability, and sustainability.
