Oman’s Public Authority for Privatisation 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 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 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 recognised professional standards at the level of the global training institutions and the cybersecurity organisations, as well as providing support to various governmental departments and the private sector, with specialised skills and expertise to deal with any cyber-attacks or electronic piracy to reduce the risks of electronic threats. 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 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 licence 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, virtualising 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 Al Shanfari 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.  -TradeArabia News Service