MUSCAT: Amid rising global concerns over cyberattacks targeting hospitals and medical institutions, Oman launched the sixth edition of the Oman Cybersecurity Conference, focusing on strengthening cybersecurity in the healthcare sector and protecting sensitive patient data.
Held under the auspices of Dr Hilal bin Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health, the conference brought together government officials, cybersecurity specialists, and healthcare leaders to discuss strategies for improving national digital resilience.
Organised by Al Roya in cooperation with the Electronic Defence Centre and the Advanced Cybersecurity Academy, the conference highlighted the growing importance of securing healthcare systems amid rapid digital transformation.
The event also marked the launch of the ‘Cybersecurity Compliance Award in the Healthcare Sector’, aimed at encouraging healthcare institutions to adopt advanced cybersecurity standards and strengthen compliance with national digital security regulations.
Hatem bin Hamad al Taie, Secretary-General of the conference, said “cybersecurity has become a critical pillar in protecting healthcare infrastructure, especially as Oman advances digital healthcare projects such as the ‘Shifa’ application and the national unified electronic health record initiative.”
“These rapid digital advancements require equally advanced cybersecurity systems capable of protecting healthcare infrastructure from cyberattacks, data breaches and digital crimes,” Al Taie said.
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Eng Khamis bin Salem al Hajri, Head of the Electronic Defence Centre, noted that healthcare remains one of the world’s most targeted sectors for cyberattacks, with the average cost of a healthcare data breach exceeding $10 million per incident.
He added that more than 70 per cent of healthcare institutions globally experienced cyber incidents within a single year, while phishing attacks account for over 90 per cent of cyber intrusions.
Dr Ahmed bin Salim al Mandhari, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Health for Planning and Health Regulation, said “Oman’s healthcare system is undergoing a major transformation driven by smart healthcare technologies and integrated digital platforms.”
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He stated that “the ministry is implementing a proactive cybersecurity strategy focused on policy development, infrastructure modernisation, investment in national talent, and the use of artificial intelligence to predict and analyse cyber threats.”
