Kaspersky launches training program in KSA to build national cyber capabilities

Mohamad Hashem, General Manager for Saudi Arabia and Bahrain at Kaspersky.
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Updated 08 May 2023
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Kaspersky launches training program in KSA to build national cyber capabilities

Kaspersky has announced its training and internship program in Saudi Arabia, further fueling its commitment to building national capabilities within the cybersecurity sector in the Kingdom. One of the many initiatives pioneered by Kaspersky, this program is open for all students and aims to increase cybersecurity awareness, while enabling skills and knowledge sharing to defend against the evolving threats of today’s cyber reality.

The training program will be held online and offline and will be divided into two categories to expand reach, explore various areas of an ever-challenging threat landscape, and accommodate students with and without a background in IT or cybersecurity. The “Basic” training category is developed for students with minimal knowledge of cybersecurity, with sessions designed to increase their level of cyber hygiene and understand the fundamentals of digital well-being using Kaspersky’s products. On the other hand, the “Advanced” training category requires students to have profound knowledge in the field. The goal is to conduct deep dive sessions into Kaspersky’s areas of expertise and key products. Top ranking trainees in the “Advanced” category will be awarded with an internship at Kaspersky. 

“Saudi Arabia has a resilient cyber defense and holds a promise of becoming a global cybersecurity hub in the near future. This ambition requires a robust talent pipeline, one that has a strong foundation in cybersecurity education, is equipped with the right skills to navigate the persistent and evolving cyberspace, and has the expertise to direct the industry toward an innovative path. Our training and internship program in the Kingdom efficiently addresses these needs. We believe education to be one of the core tools in our arsenal of improving the cybersecurity awareness culture, which is much needed as we progress to a hyper digitized era. Nothing is impossible with quality education,” said Mohamad Hashem, general manager for Saudi Arabia and Bahrain at Kaspersky.


ASMO partners with Arcapita to develop 1.4m sqm logistics facility at SPARK

Updated 1 min 54 sec ago
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ASMO partners with Arcapita to develop 1.4m sqm logistics facility at SPARK

ASMO, a joint venture between Aramco and DHL Supply Chain, has partnered with Arcapita Group Holdings Limited, a global alternative investment firm, to develop a 1.4 million-square-meter purpose-built logistics facility at King Salman Energy Park, designed to support the next phase of the Kingdom’s logistics and supply chain development. The project will be delivered through a forward funding transaction, reflecting a long-term investment in national infrastructure.

Through the partnership, Arcapita will fund and retain ownership of the facility, while ASMO will develop, lease, and operate the asset under a 22-year occupational lease. The facility will include a 43,000-square-meter temperature-controlled Grade-A logistics warehouse, over 3,000 square meters of offices and staff facilities, 5,300 square meters of dedicated chemical storage space, and a 1.2 million-square-meter open yard. The investment reflects a shared goal by the parties to develop resilient, scalable, and future-ready institutional grade logistics infrastructure in the Kingdom.

Designed for large-scale industrial operations, the facility will help boost advanced warehouse and building management systems, digital integration, automated storage and retrieval systems, robotics, adherence to globally recognized sustainability standards, including photovoltaic readiness, electrical vehicle charging, and a LEED Gold certification.

“This development reflects the strategic intent behind ASMO’s mandate and reaffirms its role in enabling resilient and future-ready supply chains,” said Salem Al-Huraish, chairman of ASMO. “By investing in long-term infrastructure and strategic partnerships, ASMO is supporting the Kingdom’s industrial ambitions and contributing to the development of integrated logistics capabilities that serve both national priorities and global markets.”

The facility represents ASMO’s first purpose-built logistics center and forms part of four planned strategic sites underpinning ASMO’s national logistics network, aligned with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy under Saudi Vision 2030. Once operational, it will serve Aramco, its affiliates, and other key industrial players across the Kingdom. 

“ASMO’s new logistics hub at SPARK helps to strengthen Aramco’s supply chain resilience by delivering a centralized, high-efficiency facility in the heart of Saudi Arabia’s energy sector. As an anchor customer, we recognize the value of ASMO’s strategic investments in logistics infrastructure, demonstrating their ambition to deliver innovative, customer-focused solutions across the supply chain,” said Sulaiman Al-Rubaian, Aramco senior vice president of procurement and supply chain management.

Isa Al-Khalifa, director and head of MENA real estate at Arcapita, said: “This transaction builds on Arcapita’s established track record in developing and investing in Grade-A logistics and industrial assets. Combining our local expertise in Saudi Arabia with our experience in complex, forward-funded developments, we are pleased to partner with ASMO to support the development of a purpose-built facility that supports the Kingdom’s energy and industrial sectors, while securing a high-quality asset.”

Mishal Al-Zughaibi, president and CEO of SPARK, said: “We are pleased to welcome ASMO to SPARK as part of a strategic partnership that further strengthens SPARK’s position as a premier logistics hub aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. This significant investment reflects the strong collaboration and ambition of all parties involved. SPARK’s advanced infrastructure and comprehensive services were a key factor in ASMO’s decision to establish its state-of-the-art logistics center within our park.” 

Located within Saudi Arabia’s energy ecosystem, SPARK is strategically positioned between Dammam Seaport, Aramco’s Abqaiq facilities, and Al-Ahsa, enabling direct connectivity across the Kingdom’s energy and industrial network. The site supports integrated operations through modern infrastructure and digital readiness and has attracted more than 70 investors from 16 countries, with Phase 1 infrastructure representing a total investment of $1.6 billion.