Cyber readiness in Oman accelerates across sectors

MUSCAT, NOV 16

Oman is entering a critical new phase in its cybersecurity journey as industry leaders warn that national resilience will depend not only on strong frameworks but on effective, sustained execution. The message was delivered clearly during a panel session at the Cysec Oman Forum, where experts unpacked the realities of moving from cybersecurity vision to real-world impact.

The discussion emphasised that Oman has already built an impressive strategic foundation. National frameworks, sectoral regulations, the Cyber Defence Centre, and data protection policies have strengthened governance across most sectors. Yet panellists agreed that the next challenge lies in deployment — where implementation speeds, workforce capacity and cross-sector alignment remain inconsistent.

One expert highlighted that risks vary sharply between industries. Financial institutions, for instance, have benefitted from the Central Bank of Oman’s strong cybersecurity and business continuity frameworks. These have helped banks and financial entities meet global benchmarks and respond more quickly to incidents. But the same level of maturity is not evenly present in other critical sectors. “We have several layers of governance in place”, said Ahmed al Lawati, Information Security Specialist from Mala’a, “but execution must catch up and that requires stability in people, processes and technologies”.

The global cybersecurity workforce shortage emerged as a central concern. Speakers described talent retention as a growing obstacle in Oman, where public and private organisations often compete for the same limited pool of specialised experts. The result is operational instability, longer response times and difficulty in maintaining continuous threat monitoring. “The frameworks are robust”, Mazoon al Rubaiei, Information Security Specialist from Muscat Municipality, noted, “but our ability to execute depends on who is available, trained and ready”.

The panel also addressed the misconception that cybersecurity is a project with a defined start and finish. “Cybersecurity is not a PowerPoint marathon”, Hilal al Busaidy, Data Centre expert said. “It is a continuous, evolving process that must be reviewed, tested and improved. The threat landscape never stops, so our defences cannot stop either”.

This perspective underscores a key message for businesses in Oman: cyber resilience is not achieved through compliance alone. While policies and audits provide structure, true readiness requires an organisational culture that prioritises security, invests in technology and empowers employees to act responsibly.

Despite the challenges, the mood remained optimistic. Oman’s regulatory progress, cross-sector coordination and strategic clarity place the country ahead of many regional economies. Panellists highlighted opportunities to accelerate readiness through automation, AI-based monitoring, unified incident reporting and expanded public–private cooperation.

Speakers concluded that Oman is well-positioned to enhance its national cyber readiness, but the coming years will demand more rapid execution, deeper collaboration and sustained commitment from leadership across all sectors. As Shaikha al Mashaykhi, Information Security Specialist from Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, summarised, “Vision has brought us this far, but execution will determine how resilient we truly become”.