SDHR organises ‘Digitally Secured Society’ forum

The forum was attended by His Excellency Ali Salem Al Midfa, Member of the Executive Council and Chairman of the Sharjah International Airport Authority; His Excellency Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Member of the Executive Council and Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority; His Excellency Eisa Hilal Al Hazami, Chairman of the Sharjah Sports Council; His Excellency Brigadier General Dr Mohammed Khamis Al Othmani, Director-General of the Sharjah Police Science Academy; His Excellency Salah Salem Al Mahmoud, Director-General of the Sharjah Documentation and Archives Authority; Her Excellency Eng. Lamia Obaid Al Hussan Al Shamsi, Director of Sharjah Digital Department; His Excellency Dr Abdullah Khalaf Al Hosani, Secretary-General of the Holy Quran Academy; His Excellency Mubarak Rashid Al Shamsi, Director of Al Hamriyah Municipality; and His Excellency Eng. Salem Hamed Al Abdooli, Director of the Sharjah Housing Department, along with a number of officials and employees from various government agencies and institutions in the emirate.

The forum was hosted at the Holy Quran Academy in Sharjah, and its organisation aligns with the Sharjah Government’s vision for digital leadership and sustainable government transformation. It underscores the recognition of digital security as a strategic imperative in an era of accelerating digital advancement.

This was realised through a comprehensive, multidimensional approach that extends beyond technical solutions to include societal, cultural, and legislative dimensions—strengthening integration between government entities and the wider community to build a secure, trusted digital environment prepared for future challenges.

The forum explored eight core themes reflecting the priorities of the digital age: secure digital empowerment of society; digital privacy and personal data protection; digital legislation and governance; combating cyber crime and response strategies; the role of government employees in fostering a secure digital culture; fortifying the government work environment against digital threats; the intersection of artificial intelligence and cyber security; and the need to balance innovation with the protection of digital infrastructure in government institutions.

His Excellency Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi affirmed that hosting the ‘Towards a Secure, Digitally Enabled Institutional Society’ forum reflects SDD’s commitment to advancing Sharjah’s digital transformation through a strategic vision grounded in security, trust, and sustainability, in line with the aspirations of the emirate’s wise leadership.

His Excellency said: “We firmly believe that the speed of adopting new technologies does not define true digital transformation, but by our ability to build an integrated system that ensures data protection, safeguards privacy, and reinforces trust in the digital ecosystem. Cybersecurity is not just a technical necessity but a fundamental enabler of a resilient and sustainable digital environment and a critical safeguard for the emirate’s achievements and long-term competitiveness.”

He added: “This forum serves as a vital platform to unify efforts, share knowledge, raise awareness, and foster partnerships, driving a secure digital future that weaves together technological, legislative, and educational dimensions under one cohesive vision, supporting community well-being and enhancing the government ecosystem.”

His Excellency Abdullah Ibrahim Al Zaabie noted that the forum reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to build an integrated government system rooted in knowledge, innovation, and information security. He added that digital development today represents a journey that demands a secure and well-informed institutional environment.

He said, “As partners within the government system, we recognise that digital security is a strategic imperative that plays a vital role in safeguarding achievements and ensuring the continuity of efficient and sustainable government performance.”

His Excellency further emphasised that through this forum, the Sharjah Department of Human Resources seeks to empower government professionals, raise awareness, and promote a culture of digital security, supporting the emirate’s vision of a secure and thriving digital future.

For his part, Eng. Abdul Nasser Obaid Ibrahim Bu Khater, Director of Sharjah Cyber Security Centre, emphasised the critical importance of collaboration and unified efforts to strengthen national capabilities in the field of cyber security. He said: “Addressing the cyber challenges of our time requires a genuine partnership between government and community sectors to create a secure and trustworthy digital environment for all. Through initiatives like this forum, we aim to foster a culture of digital security as a cornerstone of government transformation by equipping public sector professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to protect data and reinforce the emirate’s cyber security ecosystem.”

Eng. Bu Khater was joined by a group of expert speakers, including Lieutenant Colonel Sultan bin Taliah, Head of the Digital Crimes Department at the Sharjah Police General Command, who contributed to sessions focused on data protection, enabling secure digital practices, and raising awareness of cyber threats within government institutions.

In his keynote presentation, Eng. Bu Khater addressed the topic of ‘Institutional Security in the Digital Age,’ focusing on professional and secure conduct in the workplace. He highlighted best practices in using smart systems, email, and social media, maintaining information confidentiality, managing digital resources responsibly, and distinguishing between personal and professional usage. His session also explored individual and institutional protection strategies, the evolving role of artificial intelligence in enhancing digital security and the challenges it presents.

Lt. Col. Sultan Mohammed bin Taliah presented on ‘Cyber Crime and Cyber Security,’ shedding light on the rise of cyber threats, phishing tactics, and cyber extortion; he also addressed data privacy protection and the implementation of digital prevention tools. His presentation focused on raising awareness among Sharjah government employees of the importance of safe digital behaviour, underscoring the legal procedures to follow in the event of cyber crime exposure and emphasising that employee awareness serves as the first line of defence in protecting organisational security.

He said: "Through this participation, we seek to empower employees to adopt safe digital behaviors and establish a culture of cybersecurity as an essential part of the corporate work environment, in line with Sharjah's vision for a more aware and secure digital society."

The forum concluded by outlining a roadmap towards a safe and sustainable digital society, presenting recommendations and initiatives that enhance the integration of society and government in building an advanced digital system that enhances the emirate’s readiness for the future.