Digital crimes are a growing concern with an estimated $1 trillion lost globally last year as a result of cyber crimes, said a report.

The total direct cost of cybercrime reached $113 billion and the average cost per victim increased this year to $298 from $197 in 2012, said a Norton Cybercrime Report 2013.

To tackle these crimes, digital defence strategies have reached the forefront of priorities of governments and public and private institutions, while GCC countries have decided to collaborate in order to build a safer digital space to protect their economies and societies.

Prominent speakers will meet to discuss these strategies in Doha at the GCC Digital Security Forum on February 4 and 5, under the patronage of the Qatari Minister of Information and Communications Technology Dr Hessa Al Jaber.

The forum, which is organised by Meeza in co-operation with Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group, will attract more than 400 participants from 15 countries.
 
It will focus on digital security and its impact on various economic sectors and the role of governments in the development of digital security systems within institutions and companies, in addition to laws and enforcements needed to prevent and fight digital crimes, new trends and solutions for digital threats, and prospects of co-operation between countries in the region and between governments and the private sector  to enhance the protection of vital sectors and institutions, and provide a safe environment to promote the Internet economy, e-commerce and e-services in the Gulf region.

Dr Al-Jaber said: “Organising such forums highlights the importance of the issue of digital security and its associated technological expansions. We need to spread constant awareness of all that's happening within the field of digital security and constantly explore means of defence and protection; and further develop digital security systems within institutions and companies, as well as legislation and related laws”

Meeza’s chairman Rashid Al Naimi said: "The forum is an opportunity for every ICT user within companies, institutions and local, regional and international organisations. It focuses on raising economic and social development to new levels and the unique competitive capacities that we must achieve in order to reinforce and develop our role, and to have a prominent place at the Gulf and international levels.”

The topics to be discussed include the reality of digital security in the region and necessary policies and legislation for the regulation and protection of the digital sector. It will also address, with the participation of the most prominent international figures in this field, the reality and future prospects of digital protection strategies available, and the situation of economic sectors against the reality of digital threats, as well as the role of planning and security monitoring centres and the security aspect of data centres and cloud computing. - TradeArabia News Service