Qatar Hosts First Arab Cyber Exercise with Participation of 21 Countries

Qatar on Saturday hosted the first-ever Arab Cyber Exercise with the participation of 21 Arab countries and the General Secretariat of the Council of Arab Cybersecurity Ministers. The regional initiative aims to enhance joint Arab cooperation in the cybersecurity sector, promote collective action, and strengthen regional cyber readiness by facilitating the exchange of knowledge and expertise among participating states.

During the opening, Director General of Qatar’s National Cybersecurity Agency, Ahmed Al-Hammadi, highlighted the cross-border cyber threats targeting the region’s digital infrastructure, noting that these evolving challenges have created a new security reality that demands advanced preparedness and proactive awareness. He explained that this year’s exercise scenario developed by the Agency was carefully designed to reflect the operational environments of national cybersecurity institutions across the participating countries.

Al-Hammadi also emphasized that Qatar’s national cyber drills, initiated in 2013, have become a benchmark for institutional readiness, contributing significantly to the resilience of national and economic systems.

The Arab Cyber Exercise was held on the sidelines of Qatar’s 12th National Cyber Drill, which began on November 16 with the participation of several national entities. The drill simulated real-world threats targeting critical digital infrastructure, further supporting collaborative regional efforts to strengthen cyber defence capabilities.