Speaking at the opening of the 9th Arab Cybersecurity Conference in Cairo, Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Dr. Amr Talaat, called for deeper regional cooperation in cybersecurity, citing global threats and the increasing sophistication of cyberattacks.
Held under the theme “The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Cyber Defense”, the conference brings together Arab and international cybersecurity leaders to shape a common digital security strategy for the region. The event runs from September 7 to 8 and features high-level panels on AI-driven cyber defense, identity protection, industrial cyber risks, and big data security.
Regional Unity, Global Stakes
Dr. Talaat emphasized that collaborative action across the Arab world is critical—particularly in areas such as training, threat intelligence sharing, incident response coordination, and startup support. He also applauded regional efforts to launch awareness campaigns for Arab citizens to build a resilient digital society.
“The digital era is transforming every sector of our lives,” said Dr. Talaat. “As nations pursue automation, AI integration, and borderless infrastructure, cyber threats are growing in both scale and complexity. Security must evolve at the same pace.”
Cyber Threats by the Numbers
The minister cited alarming global cybersecurity statistics:
- A ransomware attack occurs every 11 seconds globally.
- Over 300 million individuals were affected by cyberattacks in 2023.
- The global cost of cybercrime is projected to hit $9.5 trillion in 2024, growing at over 15% annually.
- The cybersecurity talent gap stands at more than 3.5 million unfilled positions worldwide.
“These aren’t just technical challenges,” he noted. “They impact public trust, national sovereignty, and economic stability.”
Egypt’s National Cybersecurity Strategy (2023–2027)
Dr. Talaat outlined Egypt’s 5-pillar national cybersecurity strategy, which includes:
- Legal and institutional reform – updating legislation and boosting the mandates of national cybersecurity bodies.
- Public awareness – launching campaigns to educate citizens on digital safety.
- Cyber defense infrastructure – expanding national incident response capabilities and protecting digital supply chains.
- Research and innovation – supporting excellence centers and scientific research in encryption and secure technologies.
- Regional and international collaboration – contributing to global standards, bilateral agreements, and technical knowledge exchange.
Training a New Generation of Cyber Defenders
With a sharp global shortage of skilled professionals, Egypt is expanding its cyber talent development programs in cooperation with the public and private sectors, as well as civil society. Specialized training tracks now target not only IT professionals but also government employees and students.
“Our aim is to build a deep bench of cybersecurity experts across all sectors—especially in critical infrastructure,” Dr. Talaat said. “These programs are not optional—they are national imperatives.”
Egypt’s efforts are already paying off. The national cybersecurity team won first place at the GISEC Cyber Wargames in the UAE earlier this year, beating teams from 138 countries.
A Platform for Dialogue and Innovation
Dr. Baha Hassan, founder and president of the Arab Cybersecurity Conference, described the event as a pan-Arab platform for knowledge exchange, particularly given the transnational nature of modern cybercrime.
“For nine years, this conference has helped shape the region’s cyber landscape—training young experts, connecting institutions, and strengthening national capabilities,” he said.
This year’s edition includes the Arab Security Cyber WarGames Championship, simulating real-world attack scenarios and testing the response skills of elite security teams from regional institutions and tech companies.
The Way Forward
As digital systems become increasingly interlinked across borders and sectors, cybersecurity must become a shared regional priority, not just a technical challenge. Egypt’s push for joint Arab action—backed by hard data and strategic planning—signals a maturing understanding of cyber threats as a cornerstone of national and regional security.
