Qatar – Cybersecurity Sector

Massive sports events, such as Formula One, the Olympics, or FIFA World Cup, are ideal target for nefarious actors to attack fans, cyber networks, and host country critical infrastructure systems. For the last 10 years Qatar has made significant cybersecurity sector investments in preparation for the World Cup. In 2012, Qatar funded the Stadia project for INTERPOL. This project has been a 10-year endeavor to foster information sharing and collaboration among member states to provide safer sports events. Related to cybersecurity, Qatar also has ambitious digitization goals for the public and private sector as outlined in the country’s National Vision 2030 strategy document.

To execute this vision, U.S. ICT companies are partnering with Qatar on ideas surrounding data governance and collaboration, launching regional data centers, and promoting more connectivity and faster Wi-Fi speed. This growth in Qatar’s ICT sector increases the need for cybersecurity protocols and protections. Qatar’s broader emphasis on digital transformation is underscored by the October 2021 creation of a new standalone cabinet ministry, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), charged with developing the sector and raising its infrastructure capabilities.

Cybersecurity legal framework

Qatar’s cyber journey has come a long way, developing into a network of government, non-government, and private-sector stakeholders. In 2005, the government established the Qatar Computer Emergency Response Team (Q-CERT) to address cyber and critical infrastructure challenges. In 2014, Qatar published its National Cyber Security Strategy to align the relevant agencies and create the entities and governance structures needed to address cybersecurity threats. In 2018, Qatar presented its 2022 Cybersecurity Framework for government institutions, critical infrastructure stakeholders, and businesses surrounding the needs of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It incorporates the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 800 series procedure guidelines for Security and Privacy Controls for Information Systems and Organizations. In 2021, Qatar created the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) to revamp its 2014 Cyber Security Strategy. Since its inception, the NCSA trained government employees on cybersecurity, enhanced Qatar’s legal framework to strengthen cybersecurity, and worked with ICT industry stakeholders to improve its cyber resiliency. Qatar is taking a very active role in promoting cybersecurity practices.

U.S. cybersecurity providers in Qatar

Leading up to the 2022 FIF World Cup, Qatar hosted several Cyber Security Expert Group meetings under Interpol’s Project Stadia and regularly collaborates with other countries on cybersecurity matters including the United States. In July 2022, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Qatar’s National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) signed a signed a Joint Statement of Intent on Cybersecurity Cooperation (JSOI) to strengthen DHS’s and NCSA’s cooperation on cybersecurity policy, strategy, and information sharing.
According to MCIT, Qatar’s cybersecurity market size is estimated at over $1 billion USD in 2022, with an expected growth of 10 percent per year, making it worth nearly $1.5 billion USD by 2026. Large-sized U.S. ICT and cybersecurity companies are already present in the market, but demand for tailored and/niche solutions provide an opportunity for companies of all sizes.

Beyond the World Cup, Qatar aims to capitalize on its achievements, notoriety, and infrastructure in the tourism, hospitality, and large sports events industries. As Qatar continues to position itself as a sport-centric hub in the Middle East, the need for cybersecurity protections will increase. American suppliers and service providers in the cybersecurity sector are encouraged to reach out to the U.S. Commercial Service in Doha to evaluate market potential, learn about market opportunities, and explore business matchmaking, market research, or other assistance. 

For more information about the cybersecurity sector in Qatar, please contact Commercial Assistant Juan Catril at Juan.Catril@trade.gov .