Saudi security university urges Arab countries to step up fight against cybercrime

The attacks closed all government websites and services, and prompted some private sector firms to temporarily suspend their services. (Shutterstock)
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Updated 14 October 2022
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Saudi security university urges Arab countries to step up fight against cybercrime

  • Hackers last month targeted Albania after Iranian diplomats were expelled from the country

RIYADH: A recent wave of cyberattacks targeting Albanian government institutions has prompted a Naif Arab University for Security Sciences’ call for Arab countries to step up their capacity to deal with cybercrime.

Hackers last month targeted Albania after Iranian diplomats were expelled from the country in response to a series of cyberattacks it claims were orchestrated by the Islamic Republic.

The university said that the state-backed cyberattacks were aimed at destroying infrastructure, and stealing Albanian government data, correspondence and information.

The attacks closed all government websites and services, and prompted some private sector firms to temporarily suspend their services.

“Early detection of the danger of cyberattacks was one of the most important reasons for establishing the university’s Cybercrime and Digital Forensic Center,” NAUSS said in a statement.

The center helps to develop security capabilities in Arab countries to assist in countering and investigating cybercrime, as well as supporting security decision-makers.

NAUSS conducts two specialist training programs, “cybercrime investigator” and “cybersecurity incident responder,” both of which are recognized by Interpol.

The university is planning an international workshop in cooperation with the South Korean police force in 2023 to discuss scientific and technical advances in combating online crime.
 


Foreign ministers chair Saudi-Omani coordination council meeting in Muscat

Updated 23 December 2025
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Foreign ministers chair Saudi-Omani coordination council meeting in Muscat

MUSCAT: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al-Busaidi on Monday.

They reviewed bilateral relations between their nations and ways to enhance and develop them across various fields. Additionally, they discussed regional and international developments.

The ministers co-chaired the third meeting of the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council in the Omani capital, Muscat, with the participation of the heads of the Council’s subsidiary committees and the two heads of the Council’s General Secretariat teams.

The meeting comes as an affirmation of the keenness of Saudi and Omani leaders to strengthen ties and advance them toward greater prosperity for both nations.

In his remarks during the meeting, Prince Faisal affirmed that gathering builds on the previous council meeting, held last year in AlUla, and on its positive and fruitful outcomes within the framework of the approved recommendations and initiatives. 

He stressed the importance of continuing the work of the council’s subsidiary committees to complete the necessary procedures to implement the remaining initiatives, and of the General Secretariat’s role in follow-up and in addressing any challenges that may hinder implementation.

He also underscored the importance of developing and enhancing trade relations, stimulating investment, and strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors.

He also praised the ongoing work to establish and launch the Coordination Council’s electronic platform, which aims to connect all committee work and initiatives to facilitate follow-up on the Council’s progress. 

Al-Busaidi affirmed in his remarks the qualitative progress in relations between the two countries and the notable development witnessed across numerous sectors toward achieving economic integration and enhancing intra-trade and joint investments. 

The Omani foreign minister also highlighted deeper cooperation in the security and judicial fields, as well as the cultural and tourism sectors, noting the advanced and continuous political cooperation, consultation, and coordination on regional and international issues.