Doha-Qatar: The Cybersecurity Affairs Sector at the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TÜV Informationstechnik GmbH (TÜViT). TÜViT is a German company and subsidiary of TÜV NORD GROUP – a key player in setting international standards in Information Technology (IT) and a trusted vendor for setting up the first National Vetting Lab in the GCC and Arab states. The new technology lab aims to test security products for functionality and vet ICT products, while enhancing the security standards in the country.
“We are delighted to partner with TÜViT to set up the first regional Qatar National Laboratory for Technology Vetting (Common Criteria Vetting Lab) in GCC and the Arab States. The MoU reflects our commitment towards building safer, smarter and more resilient digital cities. We believe the Technology Vetting Lab will be an asset to the country and will be at the heart of the cybersecurity sector in Qatar. In line with Qatar’s National Cybersecurity Strategy, we will be focusing on several product categories for different sectors including oil and gas, IoT, smart cities and autonomous vehicles. QITCOM 2019 is a launchpad for us to announce the lab’s arrival and our vision of creating safer and smarter cities,” said Eng. Nora Yousef Al-Abdulla, Director of Critical Information Infrastructure Protection at the Cyber Security Sector, MoTC .
The lab process begins with vendors (technology developers) submitting a request to the lab to check hardware and software products. The lab conducts an extensive investigation into the products and issues certificates as needed. The entire process takes around 6 months to 1 year for each product.
Dirk Kretzschmar, Managing Director of TÜViT, added, “Qatar’s focus on cybersecurity propelled us to work with them on one of the most integral and exciting projects in the GCC, considering this will be the first lab we will help setup in the region. The first phase of the lab is in its final stages and nearing completion. We are looking forward to making it operation-ready by the end of Q4 – 2019.”
Frank Beuting, General Manager IT Security, who signed the MoU on behalf of TÜViT said:” TÜViT is excited to support the State of Qatar to achieve the next step from an already certificate accepting to a certificate authorizing nation in the international Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement with more than 30 members worldwide. After an over five years successful collaboration it is an only logical step for TÜViT to become the first private evaluation lab accredited in the Qatari Security Scheme.“
The security lab has been built to ISO standards and will be audited every two years to ensure it is up to the standards of the Common Criteria Recognition Agreement, an international agreement between 31 nations. This state-of-the-art technology lab is set to boost Qatar’s Cyber Security sector.
TÜViT evaluates IT products and their components in accordance with recognized international security standards (Common Criteria, EMVCo) and performs the necessary penetration tests also in its own hardware test laboratory in Germany. TÜViT has all the necessary accreditations for this purpose in different countries around the world.
About Qatar IT Conference and Exhibition (QITCOM 2019)
Under the patronage of His Highness, the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Ministry of Transport and Communications will hold the Qatar Information Technology Conference & Exhibition – the largest Information and Communication Technology showcase and event in Qatar – from 29th October to 1st November 2019 under the theme “Safe Smart Cities”. Featuring over 90 speakers, 300 technology exhibitors, 100 startups and 300 innovators and entrepreneur, Qatar IT Conference & Exhibition 2019 will be a one-stop-shop for participants to showcase disruptive smart technologies and exchange next-generation knowledge.
About Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC)
In recognition of the significant role of transport and ICT in building a robust and vital economy in light of Qatar National Vision 2030, the Ministry of Transport and Communications was established as per Emiri Order No. 1 of 2016. As per Emiri Decree No. 4 of 2016, the mandates and functions of the Ministry of Transport and Communications are:
- Organizing land and maritime transport businesses;
- Developing and improving transport services, studying their projects, and supervising and following up their implementation in order to achieve the expansion of economic activity and serve the requirements of the national development scale;
- Overseeing and developing the information and communications technology sector to serve the national development requirements;
- Fostering a competitive environment that is conducive to investments;
- Securing and enhancing the efficiency of ICT infrastructure and developing the next generation thereof;
- Raising awareness of the importance of ICT and how to use it safely to improve peoples’ lives, towards building a knowledge community based on digital economy; and
- Implementing and overseeing e-government programs.
About TÜViT
TÜV Informationstechnik GmbH focuses solely on security in information technology and, as an independent testing service provider for IT security, is an international leader. Numerous corporations already benefit from the TÜViT-tested security. Its portfolio includes cyber security, software and hardware evaluation, IoT/Industry 4.0, data protection, ISMS, Smart Energy, mobile security, automotive security, eID and identity verification services as well as the testing and certification of data centers for physical security and high availability. TÜV Informationstechnik, founded in 1995 and headquartered in Essen, Germany, is a member of the TÜV NORD GROUP, one of the world's largest technology service providers with over 10,000 employees and business activities in 70 countries worldwide. TÜViT is the brand of the IT division of the TÜV NORD GROUP and is one of six global business units.
Tel.: +49 201 8999-499
Fax: +49 201 8999-888
a.lange@tuvit.de