Cyber security, data collection and online privacy will be discussed at a private focus meeting held at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) today.

The meeting, entitled "Data Collection and Privacy Considerations for the GCC", will be chaired by IISS transnational threats and political risk director Nigel Inkster alongside IISS cyber security senior fellow Dr Eneken Tikk-Ringas, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

"The meeting is part of the larger IISS cyber security programme focusing on conscious exercise of state power in cyberspace and promoting strategic policy level thinking about cyber security issues," said Dr Tikk-Ringas.

"Data protection has emerged as a complex international issue that combines national concerns about growing ICT markets, individual right to privacy, cybercrime and cyber defence and security.

"IISS's strategic advisory and commentary on cyber security seeks to inform cyber security decision-making in and around the Gulf and to promote the exchange of regional and national views on international cyber security issues and solutions."

A "strategic dossier" will be produced by the IISS cyber security programme this autumn, which aims to increase general understanding of the evolution of computer and networking technologies over the past six decades as well as the emergence of relevant cyber security policy issues alongside some possible solutions. - TradeArabia News Service