RIYADH: A center for bolstering economic resilience against online threats and a new child protection initiative were among the announcements at the opening of the Global Cybersecurity Forum in Riyadh.
In his opening speech at the two-day event, Governor of the National Cybersecurity Authority Majed Al-Mazyed emphasized the event’s focus on advancing collective action and the roadmap set by previous editions of the forum.
He highlighted the GCF’s commitment to ensuring a safe and secure digital world, saying: “The GCF activities and partnerships embody this year’s theme: advancing collective action in cyberspace, building on the road map established in previous editions, and setting the direction for the UN.”
The Center for Cyber Economics is a global initiative by the GCF created in collaboration with the World Economic Forum.
This center aims to empower decision-makers across public and private sectors with insights into how to tackle cyber threats, and it will also develop models to quantify the economic impacts of cyber activities, foster an ecosystem for knowledge sharing, and ensure that cybersecurity remains central to economic growth, particularly in promoting inclusivity in the digital economy.
Al-Mazyed also underlined the forum’s role in launching new projects that address vital issues in cyberspace, from economic resilience to child safety.
This includes the Child Protection in Cyberspace initiative, which focuses on safeguarding children in the digital world.
The forum aims to introduce a “child safe” label for tech products, educational content for parents, and a centralized reporting platform to combat cybercrimes against children.
A significant collaboration with UNICEF will see the launch of a global program spanning over 30 countries, contributing to safer cyberspace for youth. This initiative will also develop the CPC Index, a comprehensive measure of child protection in cyberspace, in partnership with Digital Intelligence Quotient.
Further strengthening global cybersecurity efforts, the forum unveiled the Women Empowerment in Cybersecurity initiative.
This effort aims to broaden the talent pool in the sector by encouraging young girls to pursue STEM education while also addressing gender stereotypes in the cybersecurity profession.
The WEC initiative will support progressive recruitment policies and mentorship programs, empowering women to take on leadership roles in the industry.
These developments reflect Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to position itself as a leader in the cybersecurity space, in line with its Vision 2030 goals.
The Kingdom has invested heavily in technology and online safety, recognizing the vital role a secure digital infrastructure plays in economic diversification.
As Al-Mazyed highlighted during the opening ceremony, the forum is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of knowledge and ensuring a unified, secure global cyberspace.
