RIYADH: Saudi Arabia, fueled by its commitment to sustainable growth through economic diversification and technological transformation, climbed four spots to become the 16th biggest economy in the world in 2016.
However, with the widespread use of technology, the risk of cyber threats from hackers, insiders, and foreign governments has reached new heights.
Enhancing the nation’s cybersecurity infrastructure to combat these threats, develop standards, share critical information and educate stakeholders has become a key priority for the Saudi government.
The Ministry of Interior (MOI) represented by National Cyber Security Center (NCSC), in partnership with Naseba, is organizing the Second annual International Cyber Security Conference (ICSC) Feb.27-28 at the Security Forces Officers Club.
The conference is the largest cybersecurity gathering in the Kingdom with over 600 VIPs, CEOs, CIOs, CISOs, IT and Security Managers representing the nation’s critical national infrastructure organizations, private sector and academia.
Committed to supporting the Kingdom’s bid to safeguard its critical networks, providers such as STC, Spire Solutions, TCC, Raytheon, SecurityMatterz, Advanced Electronics Company, Attivo Networks, BT, Fortinet, Innovative Solutions, Kaspersky, Northrop Grumman, PhishMe, Darktrace, Paloalto Networks, Protection Group International, Symantec and VirtualForge will be holding private one to one meetings with the attendees.
Dr. Abbad Alabbad, Communication & Strategic Development executive director, NCSC, said that a key objective of the conference is to “facilitate national, regional and international collaboration between government, industry and critical infrastructure organizations.”
Nicholas Watson, managing director of Naseba, said, “effective information and knowledge sharing within and across industries is crucial to help mitigate cyber threats and attacks. The conference emphasizes this, in addition to facilitating business transactions, partnerships and deals between the key stakeholders and vendors.”
Sanjeev Walia, CEO of Spire Solutions, the lead sponsor of the conference, noted, “At a juncture when the region is targeted by advanced cyber-attacks, cybersecurity is mandatory for every organization and here in Spire Solutions, we work closely with organizations to protect their business by helping them understand, detect and manage cybersecurity threats in an effective way. Our team will demonstrate some of the niche solutions available today such as deception technology, endpoint security, automated threat hunting, and advanced threat exposure management.”
Saudi Arabia to address cyber security at the national level
Saudi Arabia to address cyber security at the national level
Saudi volunteers pack aid as KSrelief steps up help for Gaza
- Packages include rice, oil, canned goods, dairy products, shelter kits, and will be delivered through Rafah crossing
- Reported death toll of Israel’s war in Gaza has surpassed 70,000, with more than 171,000 people injured
RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief has been preparing food baskets and shelter kits to help Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Shalhoub bin Abdullah Al-Shalhoub, KSrelief’s director of media and public relations, called the initiative a “community-driven effort.”
Al-Shalhoub added: “There has been a popular campaign to support the Palestinian people, and this has given us the opportunity to launch the initiative to allow volunteers to help prepare the food baskets.”
Each food basket contains 7 kg of basmati rice, two bags of halva, 10 cans of tuna, 16 cans of fava beans, two large bottles of cooking oil, 1 kg of salt, 3 kg of sugar, 15 cans of evaporated milk, 1 kg of peanut butter, and a stock of cheese.
Al-Shalhoub told Arab News: “As you can see behind me, it is a beautiful sight. Seeing these young men and women here fills us with pride. You can truly sense their enthusiasm and commitment to this humanitarian work.”
KSrelief opened its volunteer portal three days ago to register participants for preparing food baskets at the agency’s warehouse. More than 80,000 people have already registered, according to Al-Shalhoub.
Anyone can sign up, choose a campaign or specialization, and volunteer.
Al-Shalhoub said: “We say to the Saudi people: You are naturally inclined toward goodness and charitable work. What we see today is one of the most inspiring humanitarian scenes embodied in this image behind me.”
The food basket and shelter kit initiative follows others led by KSrelief since the Gaza conflict began in October 2023.
Al-Shalhoub said that 80 aircraft, eight ships, and 20 ambulances had been deployed to the Gaza Strip to help the situation there.
This support is continuing across three main sectors: food security, health and medical assistance, and Ramadan programs and seasonal campaigns.
Al-Shalhoub said: “During this period (Ramadan), we are also collecting donations as part of the Palestine Campaign, which has received a high level of contributions.”
All aid will enter the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing. Israel reopened Gaza’s Rafah border with Egypt in early February — the only exit point for Palestinians not controlled by Israel — to limited traffic after nearly two years of closure.
The World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the UN Children’s Fund, and the World Food Programme reported in August 2025 that half a million people in Gaza were trapped in famine, and called for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict and “unhindered” humanitarian access.
International pressure is today focused on increasing daily truck capacity and restoring fuel access. Aid continues but remains inconsistent due to numerous missions being denied or impeded by Israeli authorities.
The reported death toll of Israel’s war in Gaza has surpassed 70,000, with more than 171,000 people injured, according to recent reports.
The World Peace Foundation reported in August 2025 that deaths from starvation and health-related causes had “without doubt” exceeded 10,000.
Those interested in volunteering for the Palestine Campaign can register through KSrelief’s Saudi international volunteer portal: volunteer.ksrelief.org/en.
