Bahrain National Cyber Security Strategy 2025-2028
Foreword
Driven by the Kingdom of Bahrain's commitment to establishing a secure
digital environment that supports growth and technological innovation,
cybersecurity has become a national priority for protecting Critical
National Infrastructure (CNI), essential systems, and information assets.
The rapid pace of digital transformation has introduced new and evolving
challenges, requiring proactive risk management and protection of the
Kingdom's cyberspace against increasingly sophisticated and complex cyber
threats. Building on this commitment, the Kingdom has launched the Second
National Cybersecurity Strategy 2025—2028, developed in line with
international best practices while reflecting national requirements and
global trends. The strategy will be implemented over four years, which
provides an integrated framework to safeguard national digital
infrastructure, strengthen cybersecurity leadership, and foster a trusted
digital environment.
The National Cyber Security Strategy 2025-2028 is based on five key pillars
to establish a resilient, secure, and trustworthy cyberspace for the
Kingdom. Advanced Cyber Resiliency secures CNI and Small, Medium, and
Enterprises (SMEs) with tailored defenses, threat detection, and response.
Robust Cybersecurity Governance unifies national security through
enforceable laws, standardized risk management, and continuous compliance.
Extended Collaboration and Partnerships promote national and global
cooperation to improve threat intelligence sharing and coordinated
responses. Sustainable Awareness and Workforce Development fosters a
security culture and builds national capabilities through targeted training.
Cyber Research, Development, and Innovation fosters a sustainable
cybersecurity ecosystem through research and local solutions, supporting
private sector growth. A comprehensive action plan implements these pillars
through strategic initiatives, enabling the Kingdom to flourish in an
interconnected digital landscape.
The strategy's implementation will emphasize continuous and active
engagement with stakeholders, supported by regular updates and evaluations
to ensure effective implementation of the strategy, role clarity, and
accountability.
Vision
The vision of the National Cyber Security Strategy (2025-2028) reflects the Kingdom's commitment to establishing a secure, resilient, and trusted digital environment that fosters innovation and drives national growth. The vision defines the aspiration for the Kingdom to lead in cyberspace, aligning with its broader objectives of advancing digital transformation.
National Cyber Security Strategy Pillars
The National Cyber Security Strategy 2025-2028 is built on five key pillars that work together to establish a resilient, secure, and trustworthy cyberspace for the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Pillar 1: Advanced Cyber Resiliency
This pillar focuses on cyber resilience, which is essential to protecting the Kingdom's digital ecosystem. It ensures the capability to anticipate, resist, recover from, and adapt to cyber threats while sustaining critical functions and services, enhancing national security, building public trust, and supporting economic stability. Achieving resilience requires coordinated efforts to safeguard digital infrastructure, counter threats effectively, strengthen crisis management, and enhance incident response capabilities.
Objectives:
- Strengthening the Protection of National Digital Infrastructure
- Bolstering Threat Countering Capabilities
- Enhancing Crisis Management and Incident Response
Pillar 2: Robust Cybersecurity Governance
This pillar promotes a unified, proactive approach to securing the Kingdom's digital infrastructure and ecosystem. Effective governance is essential for mitigating cyber risks, strengthening resilience, and building trust in the digital economy. To enhance the Kingdom's cybersecurity governance framework, this pillar focuses on aligning with international best practices, enforcing cyber laws and regulations, and implementing risk management strategies. It also seeks to establish a structured approach to policy development, regulatory enforcement, continuous compliance, and risk assessment across CNI and SMEs.
Objectives:
- Enhancing Cybersecurity Regulations and Laws
- Managing Cyber Risks at a National Level
- Building on National Cybersecurity Policies and Standards
- Maintaining Ongoing Cybersecurity Compliance
Pillar 3: Extended Collaboration and Partnerships
This pillar focuses on uniting domestic, regional, and global efforts, which is essential for strengthening cybersecurity resilience. Collaboration enhances collective defense, strengthens information sharing across CNI sectors, and fosters a unified cybersecurity strategy that integrates threat intelligence, resilience policies, and lessons learned while ensuring compliance with data protection and privacy regulations. Regional and international partnerships align with global standards, promote participation in cybersecurity exercises, and facilitate knowledge exchange through capacity building initiatives, improving cybersecurity readiness for more effective threat detection, response, and recovery.
Objectives:
- Strengthening Domestic Cybersecurity Collaboration
- Expanding Regional and Global Partnerships
Pillar 4: Sustainable Awareness and Workforce Development
This pillar focuses on building a cyber-aware society and a skilled cybersecurity workforce to strengthen national digital resilience. It emphasizes empowering individuals, businesses, and organizations to protect digital infrastructure and adopt secure practices, supporting economic stability and national security. The pillar also prioritizes enhancing national cybersecurity awareness through targeted programs and campaigns, delivered in collaboration with critical infrastructure entities and key stakeholders. In parallel, it addresses workforce development by integrating cybersecurity into education, advancing skills development initiatives, and promoting internationally recognized certifications to ensure readiness against current and emerging cyber threats.
Objectives:
- Broadening National Cybersecurity Awareness
- Developing a Skilled Cybersecurity Workforce
Pillar 5: Cyber Research, Development, and Innovation
This pillar promotes the Kingdom's cybersecurity research, development, and innovation (RDI) through collaboration among government, CNI sectors, industry, and academia. It identifies and prioritizes emerging cyber challenges, advances defensive capabilities, and promotes industry growth through national RDI initiatives. By supporting startups, developing a skilled workforce, and encouraging local cybersecurity solutions, the Kingdom aims to build a resilient, innovative, and competitive cybersecurity ecosystem.
Objectives:
- Promoting National Research, Development, and Innovation Capabilities
- Elevating the Cybersecurity Industry