ABU DHABI, Sept 3: The Chief of Kuwait's National Cyber Security Center (NCSC), retired Major General Engineer Mohammad Bouarki, emphasized on Monday the significance of signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the UAE in the field of cybersecurity. He described this agreement as a crucial step in strengthening bilateral cooperation to address increasing cyber threats.

In a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) following the signing ceremony in Abu Dhabi, Bouarki noted that the MoU is a product of joint committee meetings between the two nations, aimed at boosting collaboration and sharing expertise and information on cybersecurity.

Bouarki highlighted that the MoU outlines 14 primary objectives, including the enhancement of intelligence information exchange to provide early warnings of cyber attacks and the expansion of training programs for personnel. He pointed out that the UAE is a regional leader and ranks fifth globally in cybersecurity.

The objectives also include sharing content related to awareness program frameworks, which are crucial for effective cybersecurity strategies. The MoU also aims to facilitate cooperation in organizing cyber exercises and developing awards and competitions to identify and nurture national talents in the cybersecurity field.

Bouarki explained that the MoU's goals include increasing collaboration in all aspects of cybersecurity, including human resources through training, technology, best practices, and defensive capabilities. This collaboration will also involve sharing experiences related to incident response, attack mitigation, and cybersecurity advancements.

He noted that signing such agreements with leading countries in global cybersecurity, like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, will benefit Kuwait's National Center, especially as it is newly established, and will help improve the country’s cybersecurity ranking.

Bouarki stressed that cyber threats evolve rapidly with technological advancements, making such agreements essential for building robust defensive capabilities and achieving the NCSC's goal of a secure cyber environment. He expressed gratitude for the support from the First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahd Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, as well as the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya, and the embassy in Abu Dhabi for facilitating the MoU signing. He hopes that the provisions of the agreement will be implemented promptly to fulfill the center's objectives.