The National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) has revealed the
20 victorious teams from the CyberIC Innovation Program. This initiative,
forged through a strategic partnership with NEOM, aims to bolster Saudi
Arabia's cybersecurity sector, stimulate innovatio n, and encourage investment.
The CyberIC Innovation ceremony, hosted in Riyadh, witnessed
the presence of Eng. Majid Bin Muhammad Al-Mazyad, Governor of NCA, and Eng.
Nadhmi Al-Nasr, CEO of NEOM, along with prominent figures from the ecosystem
and industry, entrepreneurs, and investors.
CyberIC Innovation is an integral component of NCA's broader
CyberIC program, dedicated to advancing Saudi Arabia's cybersecurity landscape
through initiatives that nurture cyber innovation, empower cyber entrepreneurs,
and cultivate local talent. This program, established in collaboration with
NEOM and NCA's technical partner, Saudi Information Technology Company (SITE),
identifies and supports exceptional local cyber innovators.
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In the lead-up to the award ceremony, the 50 qualifying
teams underwent an intensive 5-week program, which included technical
workshops, mentorship sessions conducted by global experts, and creative
brainstorming workshops aimed at devising innovative solutions to address
cybersecurity challenges.
The selection of winners was executed by a committee
comprising prominent industry and investment representatives. They assessed
projects based on their potential contributions to CyberIC's focal areas, which
encompass safeguarding future cities, harnessing cognitive cybersecurity
paradigms, fortifying resilience for an industrialized future, and securing
imagined realms. The 20 victorious teams will receive financial grants to
further refine their innovative cybersecurity solutions.
During the ceremony, the National Cybersecurity Authority
unveiled that the program's awards, established in conjunction with NEOM, were
categorized into four tiers: "Diamond, Gold, Silver, and Bronze."
These prizes will be granted to 20 teams, equipping them with financial support
to advance their innovative cybersecurity products, potentially paving the way
for startups in the cybersecurity domain.
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Commencing in October 2023, the winning teams will embark on
a 6-month innovation program, featuring intensive sessions and mentorship from
local and international experts specializing in innovation, cybersecurity, and
futuristic technologies.
This Innovation Program will enable teams to actively
contribute to groundbreaking cyber advancements in NEOM. It will also encompass
a visit to a world-renowned innovation hub, affording them the opportunity for
networking, knowledge exchange, and product promotion to potential investors.
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The CyberIC Innovation Program is positioned to foster the
development of winning concepts, transforming them into commercially viable
products. By doing so, it nurtures homegrown innovative cybersecurity
solutions, stimulates investment in cybersecurity, and bolsters Saudi Arabia's
cybersecurity sector. This initiative plays a pivotal role in nurturing local
talent, cultivating robust local cybersecurity enterprises, and empowering
cybersecurity entrepreneurs within a thriving environment that champions
innovation.
The NCA, established in 2017 through a Royal Order by the
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, serves as the government entity
responsible for cybersecurity in Saudi Arabia.
Source: Saudi Gazette
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