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Saudi Arabia’s Cybersecurity Recognized as 2nd Best Globally

This picture taken on January 11, 2020, shows a general view of Riyadh. (AFP)
This picture taken on January 11, 2020, shows a general view of Riyadh. (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia’s Cybersecurity Recognized as 2nd Best Globally

This picture taken on January 11, 2020, shows a general view of Riyadh. (AFP)
This picture taken on January 11, 2020, shows a general view of Riyadh. (AFP)

Saudi Arabia has secured second place in the global Cybersecurity Index in the World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY) for 2023 by the Swiss-based International Institute for Management Development (IMD).

Saudi Arabia also ranked 17th overall in 2023 – jumping seven places from 2022 – in the overall competitiveness ranking.

With Saudi Arabia frequently ranking among the top economies in the world for cybersecurity, the latest recognition by IIMD is a testament to the efforts of entities like the National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA), one of Saudi Arabia’s key national security enablers.

Saudi Arabia has cemented its leadership position through several initiatives to build a sound and sustainable cybersecurity ecosystem in the Kingdom. The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has also designated the Kingdom as a global leader in cybersecurity, ranking Saudi Arabia second on its Global Cyber Security Index.

NCA is the primary national authority for cyber concerns in the Kingdom. It works to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s cyberspace, enabling it to protect national security and vital state interests. The Authority defends the Kingdom’s critical infrastructure, priority economic sectors, and government services and activities from cyber threats.

NCA sets the necessary standards for licensing the import, export, and use of hardware and software in terms of cybersecurity, while ensuring compliance with these standards. NCA’s work contributes to the creation of a secure and thriving economy that guarantees the prosperity of Saudi Arabia, and its people.

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France, Germany, Sweden Urge EU Battery Sector Push to Avoid China Reliance

Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden Ebba Busch addresses the "Summit of the Future" in the General Assembly Hall at United Nations Headquarters in New York City, US, September 22, 2024. REUTERS/David Dee Delgado/File Photo
Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden Ebba Busch addresses the "Summit of the Future" in the General Assembly Hall at United Nations Headquarters in New York City, US, September 22, 2024. REUTERS/David Dee Delgado/File Photo
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France, Germany, Sweden Urge EU Battery Sector Push to Avoid China Reliance

Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden Ebba Busch addresses the "Summit of the Future" in the General Assembly Hall at United Nations Headquarters in New York City, US, September 22, 2024. REUTERS/David Dee Delgado/File Photo
Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden Ebba Busch addresses the "Summit of the Future" in the General Assembly Hall at United Nations Headquarters in New York City, US, September 22, 2024. REUTERS/David Dee Delgado/File Photo

France, Germany and Sweden called on the incoming European Commission on Thursday to ensure the future of battery production in Europe and avoid relying on China to meet its needs for the green transition.

In a paper released ahead of an EU ministers' meeting to discuss EU competitiveness on Thursday, the three EU members said European battery companies faced common challenges of scaling up in a global playing field that was not level.

The EU needs to cut red tape, speed up approval processes, create better routes to funding and markets for new companies in the sector and allocate more EU funding for the battery industry, they said.

"If we are to succeed with the green transition we need to get the European battery sector flying and taking a proper share of the market," Swedish Industry Minister Ebba Busch told reporters before the meeting in Brussels, Reuters reported.

The issue is acute for Sweden after Northvolt filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States last week. The Swedish government has repeatedly said it won't invest in Northvolt to save the company, which has been Europe's biggest hope for an electric vehicle battery champion.

Busch said a strong message from Brussels that European battery making had a solid future would increase the chances for Northvolt to secure new capital from other sources.

China has taken a huge lead in powering EVs, controlling 85% of global battery cell production, International Energy Agency data shows. Busch said the European Union needed to learn from its previous reliance on Russian gas and not become dependent again on an economic rival.

"The green transition might end up becoming a Chinese transition in Europe... Just look at solar cell or wind power sector, a lot of that has been taken over by third-country investment," she said.

The new European Commission, which takes over on Dec. 1, plans in its first 100 days to issue an outline of how the bloc can compete economically while meeting its climate targets.

Busch said the three countries behind the paper were calling for improved regulation to promote new projects and conditions to allow companies to scale up.

German state secretary Berhard Kluttig said the EU also needed to look to sources other than China for key raw material inputs.

"There are many options, Australia, Canada and even Europe, we have lithium projects, so it is also important that we focus on these alternative sources for battery materials," he said.