As GCC smart infrastructure accelerates, cybersecurity readiness becomes critical to operational resilience
- Industry release highlights rising attack surface from connected infrastructure and AI‑enabled OT/IT convergence.
- Calls for increased incident response capacity, vendor security assurance and workforce upskilling across GCC.
- Notes the need for public‑private exercises and alignment with national cybersecurity authorities ahead of large events.
GlobeNewswire · 2026-05-21
Saudi NCA reports over 3,500 personnel in Hajj cybersecurity fostering programme
- NCA disclosure: more than 3,500 personnel from national entities are participating in Hajj cybersecurity preparations.
- Programme focuses on incident response, critical infrastructure protection and inter‑agency coordination.
- Public consultation announced on regulatory licensing for cybersecurity compliance‑assessment services (open comment).
National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) · 2026-05-21
Research & Consulting Studies Institute and Naseej partner to accelerate future skills development with Coursera
- Partnership announced to deliver Coursera‑powered training and certifications to students in Riyadh region.
- Program aligns with national digital skills priorities and targets employability in AI, cloud and data roles.
- Local delivery partner (Naseej) to coordinate rollout and institutional accreditation support.
Naseej For Technology · 2026-05-21
CST launches Saudi national web domain awareness campaign to boost country‑brand and local hosting
- Communications, Space & Technology Commission debuts campaign encouraging adoption of Saudi national web domains.
- Aim is to increase local presence, improve cyber‑sovereignty and drive migration to regional hosting services.
- Campaign timed ahead of Hajj season to ensure public sector and service providers promote national domains.
Telecompaper · 2026-05-21
SDAIA outlines comprehensive data‑quality journey to support national AI initiatives
- SDAIA emphasises data quality as foundational for trustworthy AI and reliable decision‑making across government programs.
- Paper highlights processes from data creation to continuous improvement and governance controls.
- SDAIA frames quality work as enabling Hajj services, national analytics and private‑sector AI adoption.
Asharq Al‑Awsat English · 2026-05-21
SDAIA chief inspects AI‑powered 'Makkah Route' operations at Jeddah airport ahead of Hajj
- Inspection focused on AI systems used in passenger flow, predictive scheduling and baggage handling on the Makkah Route terminal.
- SDAIA presence signals importance of AI for operational resilience during Hajj peak movements.
- AP report notes operational checks but no operational disruptions reported.
Associated Press Of Pakistan · 2026-05-21
Huawei appoints GAPP to distribute cloud, expands Saudi cloud and AI push
- Huawei names GAPP as official cloud solutions distributor in the Kingdom to accelerate sector‑specific AI and compliance‑grade cloud offers.
- Partnership targets finance, utilities, education and telecom customers with local commercialisation and support.
- Strengthens competition in Saudi cloud market and adds international vendor options for regulated sectors.
Gulf Business · 2026-05-21