- The global cost of cybercrime is $8.4 trillion in 2022 and will exceed $20 trillion in 2026.

By: Basel Khaled

On behalf of the Prime Minister, Dr. Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, participated in the activities of the third edition of the Information Security and Cybersecurity Conference and Exhibition, Caisec'24, which is held under the patronage of the Prime Minister over two days under the slogan “Securing the Future” and organized by Mercury Communications and United Media Services Company. In cooperation with the Arab Organization for Communication and Information Technologies (ICTOA), in the presence of Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Osama Kamal, CEO of Mercury Communications.

For his part, Dr. Amr Talaat stressed that cybersecurity issues have become an essential component of the national security system of all countries. Pointing out that the increasing dependence of countries on digital and automated systems is accompanied by an increase in the dangers of cyber attacks. Noting that the world is witnessing an increase in the rates of cyber attacks, which are also characterized by complexity and diversity.

Dr. Amr Talaat added that international reports indicate that organizations around the world are exposed to ransomware attacks at an average rate of one attack every 11 seconds. The global cost of cybercrime has been estimated at approximately $8.4 trillion in 2022, and it is expected that by 2026 the annual costs of crimes will exceed Cyber ​​$20 trillion.

Dr. Amr Talaat stated that the Egypt Digital Platform currently provides more than 170 digital government services, and it is targeted to reach 200 services by the end of this year, noting that the efforts made to increase digitized government services and provide them to citizens in an easy and controlled manner are accompanied by an awareness of cyber dangers, and from this standpoint, they have been Launching the National Cybersecurity Strategy through the Supreme Council for Cybersecurity.

Dr. Amr Talaat explained that the national strategy for cybersecurity is based on a set of axes, the most prominent of which is encouraging scientific research in the field of cybersecurity in cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research with the aim of forming scientific research groups that include cybersecurity experts in the communications and information technology sector with professors from Egyptian universities who specialize in this. There is scope for research into building early detection programs for cyberattacks to which systems may be exposed, in addition to encouraging companies working in this field to have innovative thinking in building cybersecurity systems for various programs and automated systems, as well as interest in strengthening international cooperation and partnership in this field.

Dr. Amr Talaat indicated that work is being done to increase the number of experts specialized in the field of cybersecurity through a number of training programs and initiatives aimed at building capabilities and increasing expertise capable of working in this field, adding that a few weeks ago the “Cyber ​​Skills” initiative was launched to train 1,000 young people annually in the field of cybersecurity, stressing the high rates of employment in this field.

Dr. Amr Talaat added that according to the International Telecommunication Union classification, Egypt occupies 23rd place globally out of 182 countries in the “Cybersecurity” index, expressing his aspiration to improve this position and expand the base of specialized skills in cybersecurity.

Dr. Amr Talaat toured the pavilions of the Information Security and Cybersecurity Exhibition Caisec’24, in which a diverse group of major leading companies in cybersecurity solutions participate.