logo
Oman Data Park partners with Bug Bounty Oman to strengthen national cybersecurity

Oman Data Park partners with Bug Bounty Oman to strengthen national cybersecurity

Zawya29-04-2025
Muscat:. In a significant move aimed at enhancing Oman's cybersecurity infrastructure, Oman Data Park (ODP), a leading provider of cloud solutions and managed services in the Sultanate, has entered into a strategic Teaming Agreement with the Omani Vulnerability Hunters Reward Platform, known as Bug Bounty Oman, the nation's premier platform offering Bug Bounty as a Service to organizations across Oman.
This landmark agreement aims to establish a robust, trusted, and secure channel for responsible vulnerability disclosure. By doing so, it enables both public and private sector institutions to take a proactive approach in identifying and addressing cybersecurity risks before they escalate. The partnership also plays a pivotal role in strengthening Oman's growing cybersecurity ecosystem by fostering local talent, promoting a culture of ethical hacking, and instilling a sense of digital responsibility throughout the nation.
Maqbool Al Wahaibi, CEO of Oman Data Park, stated, 'This collaboration marks a crucial step forward in our commitment to safeguarding Oman's digital infrastructure. As digital transformation accelerates across all sectors, the need for secure, resilient systems becomes increasingly critical. Our approach to cybersecurity transcends the conventional focus on technology alone. It is about forging strategic partnerships built on trust, collaboration, and a shared responsibility to enhance the nation's digital landscape.'
He further added, 'Our engagement with Bug Bounty Oman further underscores our confidence in the capabilities of Omani talent and our commitment to fostering community-driven security solutions. By creating an environment where skilled individuals can contribute meaningfully and ethically to Oman's digital advancement, we are building a cybersecurity framework that not only protects but also empowers. This collaboration enables institutions to operate with confidence while preparing the next generation of cybersecurity leaders to meet the challenges of an increasingly connected world.'
Bug Bounty Oman plays a critical role in empowering highly skilled Omani security researchers, providing them with a structured platform to identify and report security vulnerabilities. This collaboration will further promote a culture of innovation and excellence within the cybersecurity community, offering a meaningful opportunity for researchers to contribute directly to the country's digital defense.
Moreover, the agreement facilitates deeper cooperation between government entities, critical sectors, and the broader cybersecurity community. This alignment is essential in addressing the rapidly evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats and ensuring that the nation's digital infrastructure remains secure and resilient.
The partnership aligns with Oman's strategic vision under Vision 2040, which seeks to accelerate digital transformation, foster innovation, and ensure national security in the digital age. Together, Oman Data Park and Bug Bounty Oman are setting a new benchmark for collaborative cybersecurity efforts in the region, reinforcing Oman's position as a leader in the evolving digital ecosystem.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

TES eyes electric natural gas production in Oman
TES eyes electric natural gas production in Oman

Zawya

time14 hours ago

  • Zawya

TES eyes electric natural gas production in Oman

MUSCAT: Global clean energy specialist Tree Energy Solutions (TES) is actively exploring investment opportunities in large-scale production of renewable natural gas—also known as electric natural gas (e-NG)—in Oman. The initiative aims to support the country's energy transition while also creating an export platform for carbon-neutral fuels targeting international markets. TES CEO and Co-founder Marco Alverà recently visited Oman for high-level discussions with senior executives from key energy stakeholders engaged in advancing the Sultanate's green hydrogen ambitions and broader decarbonisation strategies. The visit marks the latest in a series of engagements between TES and Omani entities, viewed as potential long-term partners in the company's efforts to expand its global footprint into the Middle East. Headquartered in the Netherlands, TES is a pioneer in the production of e-NG—a synthetic methane derived by combining green hydrogen with biogenic or recycled CO₂. This carbon-neutral gas can be transported using existing natural gas infrastructure from pipelines to LNG vessels, offering a scalable clean-energy alternative to fossil natural gas. 'We had productive discussions on how e-NG can support both Oman's domestic decarbonisation goals and its ambitions to export clean fuels—especially to Europe and Asia, where demand is growing,' said Marco Alverà. 'Oman has a very ambitious green fuels strategy supported by the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, OQ Group (e.g. OQAE, OQGN), and Energy Development Oman (EDO) through Hydrom. At TES, we view Oman as a uniquely positioned country to lead in the global green gas trade, thanks to its world-class solar and wind resources and robust gas infrastructure,' he noted.. In mid-2024, TES signed a Joint Study Agreement with OQ Alternative Energy (OQAE)—the clean energy arm of OQ Group—to assess the feasibility of establishing an e-NG facility in Oman. 'This is a fundamental approach in the way we assess our global opportunities. It is a necessary step that could pave the way for TES to invest in green e-NG production in Oman,' said Alverà. 'By adding CO₂ to green hydrogen, you get a green product—e-NG—that behaves just like fossil natural gas but with a fraction of the emissions. What's more, it can be distributed through the current infrastructure with little or no modification, making the energy transition more cost-effective,' he said. 'Launching a few e-NG projects here would be like unlocking new gas reserves—millions of barrels of oil equivalent.' TES' modular e-NG production approach combines electrolysers, methanisers, and balance-of-plant systems, enabling efficient, scalable green gas generation which is being implemented across the most promising e-NG locations. TES is further supporting this in Germany, where it is developing a giga-scale import terminal at the Wilhelmshaven Green Energy Hub that will serve Germany and Europe with e-NG produced worldwide. TES is a founding member of the e-NG Coalition, alongside TotalEnergies, Engie, Sempra Infrastructure, Mitsubishi, Tokyo Gas, Osaka Gas and Toho Gas which aims to accelerate global e-NG adoption. Oman stands out as a priority destination. 'Beyond its transparent regulatory framework and existing infrastructure, Oman enjoys strong geopolitical positioning and is a trusted partner—qualities that matter immensely to markets like Japan,' said Alverà. He added that e-NG offers major advantages over green hydrogen, particularly for international trade. Unlike hydrogen, which still faces technical and economic barriers, e-NG can be easily shipped as LNG or transported via pipelines. It can be a drop-in fuel for green manufacturing, like steel and aluminium production, green shipping, and to support the international power and gas grids alike across Europe and Asia, making it a versatile and impactful solution in the global push for decarbonisation.

Oman's non-oil exports increase 7% to $7bln
Oman's non-oil exports increase 7% to $7bln

Zawya

time3 days ago

  • Zawya

Oman's non-oil exports increase 7% to $7bln

Muscat – Buoyed by strong demand for Omani products in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and India, the sultanate's non-oil exports recorded a robust increase of over 7% during the first five months of 2025. According to data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), Oman's total non-oil exports rose by 7.2% to RO2.701bn between January and May 2025, compared to RO2.521bn during the same period in 2024. The growth was largely driven by rising demand from key regional and global markets. Exports to the United Arab Emirates surged by nearly 23%, reaching RO485mn in the January–May period of 2025, up from RO395mn during the corresponding period last year. Shipments to Saudi Arabia climbed by 34.9% to RO451mn, compared to RO335mn a year earlier. India also emerged as a strong market for Omani products, with non-oil exports increasing by 38.9% to RO280mn in the first five months of 2025, from RO202mn in the same period of 2024. The NCSI data indicated that the recovery in non-oil exports is broad-based across nearly all of Oman's major trading partners – with the notable exception of the United States. This performance highlights the continued success of Omani exporters in expanding their reach and meeting overseas demand. However, exports to the United States fell by 17.5% to RO159mn in the first five months of this year, down from RO193mn during the same period last year. Non-oil exports to other countries also recorded modest growth of 1.5%, amounting to RO1.125bn between January and May 2025, compared to RO1.108bn in 2024. In terms of product categories, Oman's mineral product exports stood at RO716mn in the first five months of 2025, slightly lower than RO721mn during the same period last year. Exports of chemical products, however, rose by 9.2% to RO339mn, up from RO311mn. With enhanced production capacity in Oman's downstream industries, exports of plastics, rubber and related items remained relatively stable at RO394mn, compared to RO399mn in the corresponding period of 2024. Base metals and related articles contributed RO568mn in export value during the five-month period, reflecting a 1.4% increase from RO560mn last year. Meanwhile, exports of live animals and animal products rose by 9.9% to RO164mn. In contrast, Oman's re-export activity declined by 10.3% in the first five months of 2025, falling to RO623mn from RO695mn during the same period in 2024. This drop was primarily attributed to lower transshipments of transport equipment and mineral products. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (

Oman: EZAD, anchoring investments for a diversified future
Oman: EZAD, anchoring investments for a diversified future

Zawya

time4 days ago

  • Zawya

Oman: EZAD, anchoring investments for a diversified future

Oman's economic landscape is undergoing a profound transformation guided by Vision 2040, the Sultanate of Oman's strategic roadmap towards a diversified, knowledge-driven economy. Central to this vision is the Al Dhahirah Economic Zone (EZAD), a flagship initiative that reflects Oman's commitment to redefining its economic narrative and deepening regional integration within the GCC. EZAD is more than just an economic zone; it is a symbol of visionary policy, geographic advantage, and sustainable development. Situated in the Al Dhahirah Governorate, just 20 kilometers from the Rub Al Khali border crossing with Saudi Arabia, EZAD strategically positions Oman as a gateway to the $1.6 trillion GCC market. This proximity enables seamless overland trade, substantially reducing transportation costs and delivery times for businesses accessing the Saudi market and beyond. The newly established direct Oman-Saudi road has already driven a remarkable 350% increase in bilateral trade between 2022 and 2024, reaching nearly RO 2.18 billion. This momentum underscores the immense potential EZAD holds in enhancing trade flows and industrial collaboration across borders. The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) plays a pivotal role in steering the development of EZAD. The zone encompasses a total area of 388 km², with OPAZ currently focused on Phase 1A, which spans 7.5 km² as part of the initial urgent development stage. This phase includes essential facilities such as the dry port and a dedicated veterinary quarantine centre. Through a robust regulatory framework and a streamlined 'one-stop shop' service, OPAZ ensures a highly investor-friendly environment. Investors benefit from a suite of competitive incentives including 100% foreign ownership, tax holidays of up to 30 years, duty exemptions on equipment and raw materials, and full repatriation of profits. These advantages firmly position EZAD as a leading investment destination within the Middle East. Aligned with Oman's economic diversification objectives, EZAD is purposefully designed to cultivate sectors beyond hydrocarbons. Key industries targeted include clean and renewable energy, high-precision manufacturing, logistics, and advanced manufacturing that demand sophisticated infrastructure and specialised facilities. EZAD is poised to emerge as a regional logistics hub, featuring a 4 km² dry port managed by Asyad Group on behalf of the Omani government. The first phase of the dry port development covers 1 km² and will include customs facilities, bonded warehouses, and container handling infrastructure. Smart city innovations, such as solar-powered lighting and intelligent traffic management systems, underline the zone's commitment to sustainability and operational efficiency. To support this expansive vision, RO 122 million has been secured for comprehensive infrastructure development, encompassing roads, drainage systems, and connectivity enhancements. Specifically, RO 22.3 million has been allocated for Phase 1, ensuring the foundational infrastructure is in place to catalyse growth and investor confidence. The zone's commitment to empowering local businesses is clear. Contracts stipulate significant subcontracting opportunities for Omani SMEs, with over RO 10 million earmarked for local enterprises. This strategy not only fosters job creation and skill development but also embeds SMEs into regional supply chains, contributing to Oman's broader economic objectives. EZAD exemplifies Oman-Saudi collaboration. A joint executive committee oversees the zone's development, fostering mutual investments, regulatory alignment, and business facilitation. Discussions on establishing a joint Saudi-Omani operating company further solidify this bilateral partnership, reducing investor risks and enhancing regional cooperation. While the zone's primary focus is regional, it actively seeks investments from Asia—particularly China and India—as well as Europe. Oman's stable investment climate, strategic logistics positioning, and connectivity to Gulf and African markets present compelling advantages for international investors. The zone is an ideal base for distribution centres, cold storage facilities, and third-party logistics operations. Diverse investment opportunities await both local and international players. Agro-processing units can leverage Al Dhahirah's agricultural potential, while the veterinary quarantine centre opens pathways in livestock trade. Mining and mineral processing offer prospects to capitalise on Oman's rich natural resources. Financial institutions like Sohar International Bank stand ready to support these ventures through joint ventures and PPP models. To maximise EZAD's potential, strategic enhancements are essential. Improving customs protocols with Saudi Arabia, adopting single-window systems, and integrating digital documentation will streamline cross-border trade. Utility infrastructure, including reliable energy, water, and telecommunications, must be fortified to support industrial activity. OPAZ has also tendered projects for an administrative and commercial complex featuring a hotel, clinic, administration building, business centre and mall. Promotion of EZAD should leverage its unique Oman-Saudi identity. Establishing an annual Al Dhahirah Economic Forum could serve as a dynamic platform to showcase investment opportunities. Additionally, academic and vocational training partnerships will be pivotal in cultivating a skilled workforce tailored to the zone's specialised industries. Facilitating technology transfers and fostering innovation clusters will further elevate EZAD's global competitiveness. In conclusion, the Al Dhahirah Economic Zone stands as a strategic nexus for Oman's economic diversification, regional integration, and global engagement. Its strategic location, investor-friendly policies, comprehensive infrastructure, and deep-rooted Oman-Saudi collaboration make it a beacon of sustainable growth and investment. As Oman advances toward its Vision 2040 goals, EZAD is poised to play a transformative role in shaping a resilient, diversified, and globally competitive economy. Its success will not only benefit Oman but also serve as a testament to the power of visionary leadership, collaborative governance, and shared prosperity.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store