The Public Authority for Privatization and Partnership (PAPP) has signed a Tawazun Oman Project agreement with Thales to deliver advanced Cyber Range solutions and training at the country's Advanced Cybersecurity Academy (ACA). The signing of the agreement was held under the patronage of Sheikh Abdullah Nasser Al Bakri, Minister of Manpower and attended by Dr. Ali bin Masoud Al-Sunaidy, Minister of Commerce and Industry, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Authority, and the Ambassador of the Republic of France to the sultanate. The agreement was signed by Dr. Dhafir bin Awadh Al Shanfari, PAPP CEO and Pierre JEANNE, Vice President of Thales Group for Cybersecurity Technologies and Solutions. The Advanced Cybersecurity Academy aims to train and qualify national cadres with high professional skills in accordance with the recognized professional standards at the level of the global training institutions and the cybersecurity organizations, as well as providing support to various governmental departments and the private sector, with specialized skills and expertise to deal with any cyber-attacks or electronic piracy to reduce the risks of electronic threats. Moreover, the Academy is equipped with the most advanced means and techniques. As part of its offset (Tawazun Oman) obligations in the country, Thales will provide Cyber Range Platforms (sophisticated cybersecurity training and testing facility) to the Advanced Cybersecurity Academy in addition to a complete cyber training program – from basic to expert level – led by Thales cyber experts who will be based in Oman for two years, and train 16 Omani trainers at the Academy. Thales will leverage its expertise to develop five comprehensive cyber curricula for the Academy. The group will also grant a license to the Academy to perform the five cyber curricula in country. All course materials will be provided, including scenarios and topologies to develop strong cyber security skills which will include professionals from a range of sectors in Oman. Thales will provide Cyber Range Platforms, developed and powered by its partner DIATEAM, which will include their advanced training tools for the Academy. Trainees will learn how to protect and defend their networks against cyber-attacks with the Cyber Range Platforms, virtualizing all possible scenarios and solutions. The program will be implemented with the support of Thales experts whose mission is to enable the Academy's trainers to deliver the courses autonomously. Dr. Dhafir Awadh Al Shanfari, CEO, Public Authority for Privatisation and Partnership welcomed the signing of the agreement which achieves one of the Tawazun Oman programme objectives to create new investment partnerships with the world's leading companies "The Advanced Cybersecurity Academy is one of our key projects under the Tawazun Oman Programme that is in line with Oman's vision. This is a significant step forward for the enhancement of the Sultanate's security capabilities. Cyber security is an essential skillset and a crucial element in our quest for technological excellence. Through our international strategic partner, Thales, we have a partner with deep knowledge and proven capabilities in cyber security, which will benefit Omani professionals through the bespoke Cyber Range and training solutions offered at the Academy. This will enable our goal of building a diversified and sustainable economy supported by a strong and competent local workforce." "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," said Pascale Sourisse – Senior Executive Vice-President, International Development at Thales. "The Advanced Cybersecurity Academy is the first national initiative with high level endorsement specialized in hands-on cybersecurity training in the Sultanate of Oman. It will train a new generation of global calibre cyber-aware professionals to support government and private sector organizations with specialized skills and expertise. With Thales on board, we will not only ensure that our curricula is in line with global standards but we will also have a team of Omani experts, trained by Thales, to offer advanced cyber security environment and training for our Nationals," said Dr Ahmed Hamad Al-Kalbani – Dean of the Advanced Cybersecurity Academy. The advanced Cybersecurity Academy is implemented in partnership with Ministry of Manpower by the Higher College of Technology. "The ACA project is a continuous project based on a Hybrid Model developed by multiple world leaders in Cybersecurity Obligors from whom the know-how will be transferred by Obligors and attained by Omanis through Tawazun Oman (Offset) programme," said Dr. Abdulhakim Hilal Al Ismaili, Director General of the Technological Education, Ministry of Manpower. "The Academy will be positioned as a future 'Center of Excellence' for providing not only professional training, but also consultancy and R&D for critical networks and systems which will deliver cutting edge programs using simulations environment (Cyber Range) to meet Oman's current and future Cybersecurity professional requirements," said Sulaiman Awaid Al Hilali, Project Manager, Public Authority for Privatization and Partnerships. Oman already ranks third in the world, next only to USA and Canada, in cyber-attack readiness according to the Global Cybersecurity Index. Armed with a high-level cybersecurity strategy, and a comprehensive roadmap, Oman is well placed with the best organizational practices to tackle threats. The country also ranked second in the Middle East, as per the latest International Telecommunications Union Global Cybersecurity Index, for protecting its national infrastructure. The new partnership with Thales will help further strengthen the cyber- preparedness of the nation. The Public Authority for Privatization & Partnership (PAPP) was established pursuant to the promulgation of Royal Decree 54/2019 to manage and administer the Tawazun Oman Program (PFD Previously), Privatization Law and Public-Private Partnership Law. PAPP aims to contribute to the development of the national economy, enhancement of the local added value and the diversification of the sources of income, encourage partnerships between the public and private sectors, contribute to the capacity building of our citizens and the development of the capital market Thales is a global technology leader shaping the world of tomorrow today. The Group provides solutions, services and products to customers in the aeronautics, space, transport, digital identity and security, and defense markets. With 80,000 employees in 68 countries, Thales generated sales of €19 billion in 2018 (on a pro forma basis including Gemalto). Thales is investing in particular in digital innovations — connectivity, Big Data, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity — technologies that support businesses, organizations and governments in their decisive moments. — SG
