Riyadh, October 05, 2023, The National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) has unveiled the 20 victorious teams of the CyberIC Innovation Program, a collaborative initiative with NEOM aimed at bolstering Saudi Arabia's cybersecurity sector, stimulating innovation, and nurturing investment.
The CyberIC Innovation ceremony, held in Riyadh, saw the presence of prominent figures including His Excellency Eng. Majid Bin Muhammad Al-Mazyad, Governor of The National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA), and Eng. Nadhmi Al-Nasr, CEO of NEOM. The event also gathered key players from the cybersecurity ecosystem, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors.
Part of NCA's broader CyberIC program, the CyberIC Innovation Program is dedicated to advancing Saudi Arabia's cybersecurity sector by promoting cyber innovation, empowering cyber entrepreneurs, and cultivating local talent. This initiative operates in strategic partnership with NEOM and NCA's technical collaborator, the Saudi Information Technology Company (SITE), with the aim of recognizing and empowering top local cyber innovators.
The program's participants, consisting of 50 teams in the qualification stage, underwent an intensive 5-week program leading up to the awards ceremony. This program encompassed technical workshops, mentorship sessions with global experts, and creative brainstorming workshops geared towards crafting innovative solutions to address cybersecurity challenges. The selection of winners was conducted by a committee of industry and investment experts who assessed projects based on their potential contributions to CyberIC's key focus areas. These priority domains include securing future cities, harnessing cognitive cybersecurity approaches, building resilience for an industrial future, and ensuring security in imagined realms.
The 20 winning teams are set to receive financial grants to further develop their innovative cybersecurity solutions. In October 2023, they will embark on a 6-month innovation program featuring intensive sessions and mentorship with local and international innovation, cybersecurity, and future technology experts. This initiative will enable teams to actively contribute to cutting-edge cybersecurity advancements in NEOM and includes a visit to a world-leading innovation center, facilitating networking, knowledge exchange, and product promotion to potential investors.
The CyberIC Innovation Program plays a pivotal role in nurturing winning concepts and transforming them into viable commercial products. By doing so, it encourages the emergence of localized innovative cybersecurity solutions, drives investment in cybersecurity, and enhances the cybersecurity sector in Saudi Arabia. This initiative is integral to cultivating local talent, fostering the growth of domestic cybersecurity companies, and empowering cybersecurity entrepreneurs in a thriving environment conducive to innovation.
