Thales and Oman’s Public Authority for Privatisation and Partnership (PAPP) recently signed a partnership agreement for the Advanced Cybersecurity Academy last week.

The new partnership agreement, which was signed between Dr. Dhafir bin Awadh Al Shanfari, CEO of PAPP (formerly known as OAPFD) and Pierre JEANNE, Vice President of Thales Group for Cybersecurity Technologies and Solutions, will see Thales not only providing Cyber Range Platforms (developed and powered by its partner DIATEAM) but also a complete training programme that will be led by Thales cyber experts based in Oman for two years.

The programme will provide training from the basic to the expert levels for 16 Omanis trainers, who will learn how to protect and defend their networks against cyber-attacks with the Cyber Range Platforms, virtualising all possible scenarios and solutions.

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The academy will also act as a support to organisations in the government and private sectors to help them deal with cyber-attacks or electronic piracy to reduce the risks of electronic threats. Moreover, the Academy is equipped with the most advanced means and techniques. The academy, which is a step further in fortifying Oman’s cyber- preparedness, will also create jobs and human capital resources for the country in line with the Oman 2040 vision.

In a quote to Business Live ME, Pascale Sourisse – Senior Executive Vice-President, International Development at Thales, said, “Thales has been working with Omani governmental agencies and offering the highest standards of security across strategic sectors for over 40 years. We are committed to supporting the nation’s vision by offering advanced cyber security training to Omani professionals. This will help raise the level of cyber awareness and ensure the most efficient protection of sensitive and sovereign assets of the country.”

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The Sultanate ranks third in the world, next only to USA and Canada, in cyber-attack readiness according to the Global Cybersecurity Index and ranks second in the Middle East, according to the latest International Telecommunications Union Global Cybersecurity Index, for protecting its national infrastructure.