Qatar, Doha (24 October 2011): The Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR), welcomed leading global cyber security experts and policy makers to Doha today for the annual Meridian Conference, a three-day conference focused on critical information infrastructure protection (CIIP) across borders. ictQATAR's Cyber Security Division is chairing the conference, which includes a number of working sessions aimed at developing CIIP initiatives and addressing emerging cyber threats in a collaborative manner.

"Increased reliance upon information systems and networks comes with many complex and serious risks. Whether from natural disaster, user error, or malicious attacks, it is essential that institutions that rely upon information systems are able to identify these vulnerabilities and address them proactively. We understand this in Qatar, and that is why we have made Critical Information Infrastructure Protection a key element of our Cyber Security program, and a focus of our 2015 National ICT Strategy," said ictQATAR Assistant Secretary General Hassan Al-Sayed in opening the Meridian Conference.

Meridian is a network of leaders in the cyber security field that work together to provide governments worldwide with a means by which they can discuss how to work together at the policy level of CIIP. The annual Meridian Conference is an opportunity for members states to share information, develop collaborative initiatives and propose global policies. Qatar assumed the Presidency of Meridian at the conference and will play an influential role in setting its agenda for the coming year. Qatar will hold the Presidency until the 2012 conference in Germany.

"Qatar, through ictQATAR, joined Meridian in 2007, making us the first MENA country to become a member. ictQATAR's projects in CIIP such as producing SCADA security guidelines to mitigate attacks against the energy industry, developing a Risk Assessment Framework through public-private partnerships in critical sectors such as energy and finance, improving response and recovery mechanism to threat outbreaks, conducting training programs for SCADA operators, and working on policy drafts pertinent to CIIP, have positioned Qatar as one of the most progressive nations in protecting our critical infrastructure from cyber threats," said Khalid Al-Hashmi. ictQATAR Executive Director of Cyber Security.

The theme for the 2011 Meridian Conference is "CIIP and the International Interdependencies," which focuses on the nature of CIIP, in that cyber threats do not respect national borders. This is the first year the conference is in the Middle East and a number of new nations are participating.

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