RIYADH: The National Center for Electronic Security launched on Wednesday night the “International Cyber Security Conference” under the sponsorship of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif.

Prince Bandar bin Abdullah Al- Mishari, assistant interior minister for technical affairs, attended the two-day conference which was held at the Officers Club.

A group of local and foreign experts and specialists in cyber security and information technology participated.

Talking on the occasion, Prince Bandar thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman for his support to the information technology and security sector. He said the aim of the conference was to exchange experiences on the protection from cyber attacks and a review of the Kingdom’s efforts in e-Security protection with presentation of the most important initiatives to enhance security system.

“This year marks the 20th anniversary of the launch of online services in the Kingdom which has seen leaps beyond all expectations in information technology,” Prince Bandar said.

He added that to keep pace with this development, the Kingdom established the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. He noted that the importance of cyber security emerged when there was need to protect vital installations, which were not excluded from the attempted attacks in the mail around the world.

He added that in this regard a royal decree was issued to establish a supervisory committee for information security affiliated with the council of political and security affairs.

He stressed that “cyber security is a shared responsibility so we look forward to everyone’s cooperation to protect national security and the pledge and commitment to apply basic standards, share data and strive to develop national capacities.”

Abdul Aziz Al-Ruwaiz, communications governor of the Commission of Telecom and Information Technology, lauded the “great support of Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Salman.”

He said the support included the modernization and development of information and communication systems of the government through open competition for advanced services in all regions of the Kingdom.

He also cited the establishment of a Center for Information Security which provides services to government and private agencies such as the broadband project which serves rural and urban areas.

He added that the national capacity building is not only a responsibility of the commission or the Interior Ministry but also of all parties such as research centers and universities. “They must join hands and intensify awareness and efforts in national capacity building and improve methods of protection programs,” he said.

He added that the commission is ready to cooperate in protecting national security mail, urging that efforts be focused within specific mechanisms.

He explained that the Internet created a new space in which systems and networks associated with internally and externally.

He added that technical evolution has produced negative results of electronic attacks and exploitation of the terrorist organizations.

Dr. Saleh Al-Mutairi, director general of the National Center for Electronic Security, also talked on the occasion and thanked Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif, Deputy Premier and the Interior Minister.

“I extend my gratitude to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif for the establishment of the center, which is the seed in the fight against cyber attacks,” he said.