The Shoura Council has approved the establishment of a national center for information security dedicated to the protection of technical infrastructure and websites from cyber attacks.

The council made this recommendation at its third regular session held yesterday held under the chairmanship of its president, Dr. Abdullah Al-Asheikh.

Shoura Council Assistant Speaker Dr. Fahd bin Hamad told newsmen that the decision was taken when the annual report of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology for the fiscal year 1432/1433 AH was tabled at yesterday’s session.

The Council's Committee on Transport, Communications and Information Technology recommended that such a center could be commissioned by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in coordination with the relevant authorities.

The council emphasized that approving this recommendation will offer secure transactions for everyone, in addition to encouraging usage of more advanced security solutions and applications, thus paving the way for addressing security risks facing e-transactions and information in the Kingdom.

It recognized the importance of protecting IT infrastructure following recent cyber attacks that targeted Saudi Aramco.

The committee concerned with the ICT sector at the Shoura Council also recommended that all government agencies should use digital certificates issued by the National Center for Digital Certification (NCDC) — one of the affiliates of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.

Meanwhile, water, housing and public services committee criticized the lack of a comprehensive strategy for Haj and Umrah seasons and stated that there is a need for interaction and interdependence between more than 15 government parties.

The committee called for improving public services at the train station at the holy sites and solutions for the problems that ensued during the last Haj season.