Muscat: An international visual cybersecurity exercise began today [October 27] under the auspices of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology.

The exercise is organised by the Arab Regional Cybersecurity Centre in cooperation with the International Telecommunication Union and a number of international specialised firms.

The current session of the drill deals with cybersecurity threats and challenges to the health sector resulting from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The exercise aims to enhance cybersecurity preparedness to tackle electronic hazards targeting government establishments in member states.

It also reviews channels of cooperation between emergency response centres, security incidents from around the world, and training the national workforce on methods of handling such threats at an international level.

The Arab Regional Cybersecurity Centre was founded by the International Telecommunication Union in 2012.

It is hosted and run by the National Centre for Information Safety, Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, to unify cooperation in the Arab region and enhance the role of the International Telecommunication Union.

The aim is to build confidence and establish security in using information and communication technology (ICT) in Arab countries and the region at large.