Cybersecurity Industry Program
Date Published: 14 December 2025
Summary: ––
Oman's Cybersecurity Industry Development Program, a key component of the National Digital Economy Program and aligned with Oman Vision 2040. The program aims to diversify the Omani economy, reduce reliance on the oil and gas sector, and create employment opportunities by fostering a thriving cybersecurity industry.
Key Objectives & Vision 2040 Alignment:
- Aligns with Oman Vision 2040's goals of economic diversification, job creation, SME development, and increasing non-oil GDP contributions.
- Aims to position Oman among the top 10 countries in cybersecurity readiness.
Vision
Specialized Cybersecurity Industry Promoting Economic Growth and Diversification.
Mission
Establishing a Specialized Cybersecurity Industry in The Region Focused on Human Capital and Derived by Innovation, Creativity and Excellence.
National Digital Economy Program:
- Approved in late 2021, focusing on government digital transformation, strengthening digital society, and enabling business digitization.
- Cybersecurity industry is a key focus area within the program.
- Targets include increasing the digital economy's contribution to 10% of GDP by 2040 and increasing the IT share by 5% every 5 years.
Global & Regional Context:
- The global cybersecurity market is experiencing significant growth, projected to reach $377.32 billion in 2027 with a CAGR of 13.4% (2022-2027).
- Cybercrime has a significant negative impact on the global economy, costing trillions of dollars.
- The Middle East cybersecurity market is expected to grow significantly, with a CAGR of 17.1% (2022-2027).
- The GCC cybersecurity market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.6% from 2022 to 2029.
Oman's Cybersecurity Market:
- Oman is recognized for its cybersecurity commitments, ranking high in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI).
- The first ITU Arab Regional Cybersecurity Center (ITU-ARCC) is located in Oman.
- Oman National CERT chairs the Board of Directors of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation CERTs (OIC-CERT).
- The Omani cybersecurity market is expected to witness a significant increase by 24% by 2025.
- IT Outsourcing and Consulting are expected to hold a significant market share.
Strategic Themes & Initiatives
The program is built upon six strategic themes:
Cybersecurity Skill Set
Addressing the shortfall in cybersecurity skills through specialized programs, internships, and career promotion.
Startups, SME Support & Development
Supporting local cybersecurity SMEs through government procurement policies and early-stage product development support.
Promote Innovation
Developing commercial products and services through cyber innovation labs, accreditation, and collaboration between government, industry, and academia.
Market & Investors Incentives
Attracting foreign investment and creating demand through investor schemes, cybersecurity insurance, and business licenses.
Services & Experts’ Exports
Developing export capabilities of cybersecurity businesses and establishing international cooperation.
Promotion & Awareness
Promoting the cybersecurity industry development program locally and internationally.
- Job-ready skilled graduates programs.
- Cyber Security Excellence Award.
- Cyber innovation labs.
- Cybersecurity investors scheme and policies.
- Cybersecurity freelancing platform.
- The program is supervised by the Financial and Economic Committee emanating from the Council of Ministers.
- Oman National CERT oversees the implementation and follow-up of projects and initiatives.
- A Technical Committee for Digital Economy facilitates progress and addresses challenges.
- Innovation Centers
- Oman Technology Fund
- Private sector companies
- Government ministries and authorities
- Academic institutions
- Increase cybersecurity freelancing by 80%.
- Attract two foreign cybersecurity companies to establish a base in Oman.
- Establish 1000 cybersecurity job/income opportunities.
- Oman's rank within the top 10 countries in cybersecurity readiness.
- Increase Cybersecurity market contribution by 20% of overall IT sector contribution.
