STAR-X is Qatar's annual national cybersecurity exercise that aims to improve the cybersecurity resiliency of the Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) in Qatar by developing and maintaining a high standard of cyber skills within their workforce. STAR-X exercises address the weakest link in cybersecurity (aka. the human factor), via specially designed simulation exercises that aim to levitate the cybersecurity skills within the nation.

STAR-1 in 2013, was the first initiative of its kind in the Middle East and the Arab World, and to date, we have independently designed, developed, and delivered 8 annual cybersecurity drills. In its latest itteration, STAR-8 was conducted virtually with more than 100 CNIs registering, represented by roughly 1,000 participants.

We strive to tailor the exercises to empower the attendees with cybersecurity skills necessary to successfully defend and protect the nation. Thereby, the simulation exercises are designed and scoped to the needs and specifics of the different economic sectors in Qatar; Government, Energy & Utilities, Telecom, Finance, Health, and Education, to name a few.

We aim to increase the frequency of these exercises and deliver to more employees to counter the ever-evolving threats and risks associated with well-established technologies and emerging technologies as well.

https://www.motc.gov.qa/en/news-events/news/motc-organizes-8th-national-cybersecurity-drill-%E2%80%9Cstar-8%E2%80%9D

• Qatar

• Indigenous and nomadic peoples
• Migrants
• Unskilled employees

Since this project has been proved to bring positive results in terms for securing the technological infrastructure of Qatar and building the Cyber skills of ICT users and promoting their confidence in using ICTs then it can definitely bring similar results with countries of similar structures and needs, hence it can get replicated elsewhere.

Due to the repeating element of this initiative (Annual exercise), the positive long-term impacts of it on both the ICT infrastructure of the nation and the ICT users, and the fact that it promotes the usage of electronic services due to higher confidence levels in ICTS, this project proves to be sustainable.

We believe that each person plays a necessary role in safeguarding the State of Qatar, and no matter the complexity of the technology implemented, human beings remain the weakest link in cybersecurity defenses which requires building on their cyber skills. With each drill and exercise, we aim to empower the workforce with new cyber skills that will undoubtedly help in safeguarding the nation and the lives of the residents and citizens living in the State of Qatar. This ultimately build users' confidence in using ICTs and promotes thereof utilizing digital cannels.