SDHR hosts third institutional digital security forum

The forum was organised under the slogan “Information Security: From Concepts to Practices – An integrated journey from facility and infrastructure security to data protection.” It forms part of Sharjah Government’s efforts to promote a comprehensive understanding of information security as an integrated system that extends beyond technical aspects to include governance, institutional decision-making, risk management and organisational culture.

Key speakers and institutional experiences

Engineer Abdulnasser Obaid BuKhater, Director of the Sharjah Cybersecurity Centre, and Saqr Al Ali, Director of the Information Security Office at the Sharjah Finance Department, presented institutional experiences in establishing information security offices and in integrating central guidance with implementation across government entities.

Four main discussion pillars

The forum addressed four key themes. The first focused on governance and institutional decision-making, highlighting strategic motivations for establishing information security offices, ensuring their independence, and measuring governance maturity.

The second pillar examined risk management and financial data protection, including the classification of sensitive financial data, links between cyber and institutional risks, third-party risks, and early warning indicators across government entities.

The third pillar addressed readiness, response and business continuity, covering crisis simulations, the distribution of roles among departments during incidents, and the importance of joint exercises to enhance coordination during large-scale cyberattacks.

The fourth pillar focused on people, culture and future sustainability, emphasising the need to transform information security from a regulatory focus to daily workplace behaviour, to build national career paths in cybersecurity and to prepare for emerging threats such as artificial intelligence risks, deepfakes and insider threats.

Officials highlight strategic importance

His Excellency Abdullah Ibrahim Al Zaabi, Member of the Sharjah Executive Council and Chairman of the Sharjah Department of Human Resources, said that Sharjah’s vision—guided by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah—focuses on building strong government institutions capable of managing digital transformation with confidence and responsibility. He noted that information security has become a sovereign pillar for protecting development gains and ensuring sustainable service delivery.

Engineer Abdulnasser Obaid Bukhatir, Director of the Sharjah Centre for Cybersecurity, said the collaboration with the Sharjah Department of Human Resources reflects the centre’s strategic role in supporting government entities by raising cybersecurity awareness and enhancing readiness to address digital challenges, in line with global best practice.

He emphasised the centre’s commitment to strengthening institutional partnerships and integrating efforts with national entities to exchange knowledge and implement secure digital governance practices, thereby supporting the development of a resilient and proactive digital government.

Recommendations for stronger cyber readiness

The forum concluded with a series of recommendations emphasising the importance of institutional integration across government entities, strengthening information security culture, and developing regulatory and professional frameworks to enhance the Sharjah Government’s readiness to face current and future cyber challenges.