Manama: Bahrain, under its presidency of the 46th session of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), hosted the fifth meeting of the GCC Cyber Security Executive Committee. The meeting was chaired by Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohamed bin Abdulwahab Al Khalifa, Deputy CEO for Cybersecurity Operations at the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC), and conducted virtually.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the meeting convened senior cyber security officials from GCC member states, with Khaled Ali Bin Salem Al Senaidi, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic and Development Affairs at the GCC General Secretariat, also in attendance. Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohamed emphasized Bahrain's dedication to strengthening regional cooperation in cyber security and enhancing collective capabilities to counter the evolving cyber threat landscape. He highlighted the importance of closer coordination among GCC countries to boost cyber resilience and protect critical infrastructure and digital assets.
The meeting underscored the GCC states' commitment to collaboration through the exchange of expertise and best practices, reviewing joint initiatives, and expanding regional cooperation to achieve strategic goals. Discussions centered on the GCC Cyber Security Strategy Executive Plan (2024-2028), unified regional cyber security frameworks, and the outcomes of GCC cyber exercises. The agenda also included the inaugural season of the Cyber Gulf podcast and preparations for the upcoming GCC Ministerial Committee on Cyber Security meeting.
Bahrain's leadership in the meeting signifies the GCC's continuous focus on strengthening regional cyber security ties, enhancing cyber resilience, and promoting joint initiatives for a secure digital future for member states.