RIYADH — Huawei, a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices, has entered into a partnership with Hemaya Group, a collaboration of volunteers dedicated to increasing cybersecurity awareness in Saudi Arabia, to provide training to professionals and youth in order to further safeguard the Kingdom’s connected society. Saudi Arabia ranks first in the Arab world and 13th globally amongst 175 states in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI), issued by the United Nations International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Despite this, a recent survey of business and cybersecurity leaders noted that 85% of participants in the Kingdom had witnessed a dramatic increase in the number of business-impacting attacks in the past two years. The collaboration between Huawei and Hemaya Group will deliver advanced cybersecurity training to professionals and young talent. This will also include workshops and a program to help protect children and minors online, while also working to empower women in Saudi Arabia by enabling them to access global ICT and cybersecurity knowledge and expertise. By leveraging the combined expertise, industry leadership, and knowledge of Huawei and Hemaya Group’s volunteers, the two entities aim to contribute towards realizing Saudi Arabia’s strategic goals and vision for cybersecurity. Ibrahim Alshamrani, chief security officer of Huawei Tech Investment Saudi Arabia, said: “In an increasingly connected and intelligent world, cybersecurity must be a priority for everyone. Huawei is committed to developing the ICT ecosystem, and increasing knowledge of personal security in the online space is an important component of this. By working with Hemaya Group, we will be able to provide essential training to key demographics, empowering them with the tools to safeguard their online presence at all times.” Abdullah Alharbi, Hemaya Group CEO, said: “Saudi Arabia aims to create a safe online community for individuals and businesses to enjoy, and Hemaya Group comprises experts who volunteer their time and knowledge to help this vision become a reality. As a world-renowned technology leader, Huawei is a strong partner for us as we work towards increasing cybersecurity knowledge throughout the Kingdom.” — SG