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Abdulla bin Mohamed: Launch of the First Cohort of the National Program for Cyber Awareness Specialists Training Marks an Unprecedented Step at the National Level
His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohamed bin Abdulwahab Al Khalifa, Deputy CEO for Cybersecurity Operations at the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC), attended the opening ceremony for the first cohort of the National Program for Preparing Cyber Awareness Specialists on Monday, September 15, 2025. Organized by the NCSC, the event saw broad participation from representatives of government entities and critical national infrastructure (CNI) sectors.
His Excellency stated that the program marks an unprecedented step at the national level, being the first comprehensive national program dedicated to training cyber awareness specialists. This achievement reflects Bahrain’s leadership in this field. The Deputy CEO emphasized that the program’s goal is to prepare certified specialists in cyber awareness within the participating entities and sectors. This will enable them to develop and implement sustainable institutional awareness programs. Additionally, the program contributes to raising the nation’s cybersecurity maturity level.
The launch of this national program aims to strengthen collaboration between the NCSC and relevant entities through clear and continuous coordination channels, aligning with Bahrain’s strategic directions to maintain its leading position in the Global Cybersecurity Index (ITU).
In his opening speech, His Excellency emphasized the NCSC’s critical role in supporting various entities and sectors in enhancing cyber awareness and fostering a culture of secure digital practices. To fulfill this role, the NCSC is tasked with establishing national regulations, policies, and standards. It is also responsible for overseeing their enforcement to ensure coordinated efforts, assess effectiveness, and improve institutional maturity across the nation.
The opening ceremony was attended by undersecretaries, assistant undersecretaries, and officials from the participating entities, along with the program’s trainees. The program includes 75 specialists from 55 organizations, representing a broad range of government entities and CNI sectors. These specialists will oversee and coordinate awareness initiatives within their respective sectors and organizations, adapting them to sector-specific requirements and strengthening the integration of national efforts in cyber awareness.
Training will be provided by Mr. Ali Bishara, a cybersecurity consultant and trainer, whose extensive practical experience will enable participants to design impactful awareness programs. He will also equip them with the essential knowledge and skills to lead cybersecurity awareness initiatives within their institutions, following cybersecurity best practices and standards.
The opening ceremony included a series of presentations that addressed the regulatory frameworks related to cybersecurity awareness. These were followed by an in-depth overview of the program’s objectives and implementation strategy across the participating entities and sectors. These presentations emphasized the strategic significance of the initiative and its role in encouraging leaders and decision-makers to adopt institutional initiatives that strengthen cyber awareness.