NCSI :: Qatar

Archived data from 2016-2023

60. Qatar 58.44

60th	National Cyber Security Index
27th	Global Cybersecurity Index
39th	ICT Development Index
42nd	Networked Readiness Index

Population		2.6million
Area (km2)		11.6thousand
GDP per capita ($)		124.5thousand

NCSI FULFILMENT PERCENTAGE

NCSI DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE 3 years All data

RANKING TIMELINE

NCSI Update		Data source
11 Feb 2022		Public data collection

Version 11 Feb 2022

GENERAL CYBER SECURITY INDICATORS

1. Cyber security policy development 7/7 100%

7
7 100%
- 1.1. Cyber security policy unit 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  A central government entity (ministry or equivalent) has a specialised official or unit responsible for national cyber security policy development.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.motc.gov.qa/en/about-us/organizational-structure
  
  The Cyber Security Department is responsible for:Developing a national strategy for the security of information and following up its implementation, in coordination with the concerned parties.
- 1.2. Cyber security policy coordination format 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The central government has a committee, council, working group, etc. for national-level cyber security policy coordination.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.almeezan.qa/LawArticles.aspx?LawArticleID=77992&LawId=7993&language=ar
  
  Emiri Resolution No. (18) of 2019 amending some provisions of Emiri Resolution No. (19) of 2016; “National Committee for Information Security"
- 1.3. Cyber security strategy 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The central government has established a national-level cyber security strategy or other equivalent document.
  Accepted references
  Valid official document
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.motc.gov.qa/sites/default/files/national_cyber_security_strategy.pdf
  
  Qatar National Cyber Security Strategy (May 2014)
- 1.4. Cyber security strategy implementation plan 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The central government has established an implementation plan to the national-level cyber security strategy or other equivalent document.
  Accepted references
  Valid official document or its enforcement act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.motc.gov.qa/sites/default/files/national_cyber_security_strategy.pdf
  
  4. ACTION PLAN FOR 2014–2018
2. Cyber threat analysis and information 5/5 100%

5
5 100%
- 2.1. Cyber threats analysis unit 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  A central government entity has a national-level unit that is specialised in national strategic cyber threat situation analysis.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.qcert.org/activities-objectives
  
  Cyber Security Department (Q-CERT) Responsibility to work in CyberSecurity Intelligence.
- 2.2. Public cyber threat reports are published annually 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The public part of the national cyber threat situation analysis is published at least once a year.
  Accepted references
  Official public report
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.qcert.org/services/security-reports
  
  Q-Cert:
  
  “Provide national-level Security Threat Status Report on a quarterly and annual basis. This report presents a representation of Q-CERT’s findings from diverse resources including own sensors and 3rd party sensors. Data collected is analyzed for better understanding of current threats, trends and mitigating risks.”
  
  In order to receive these reports it is necessary to register for the mailing list of Q-CERT.
- 2.3. Cyber safety and security website 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Public authorities provide at least one cyber safety and security website for cyber security and ICT professionals, and regular users.
  Accepted references
  Website
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.safespace.qa/
  
  http://www.qcert.org/
3. Education and professional development 7/9 78%

7
9 78%
- 3.1. Cyber safety competencies in primary or secondary education 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Primary or secondary education curricula include cyber safety / computer safety competences.
  Accepted references
  Official curriculum or official report
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.motc.gov.qa/en/news-events/news/haseen-program-organizes-more-training-workshops-teachers
  
  Developed jointly by the Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the program teaches schoolchildren how to think critically and behave online by raising their awareness and developing an informed and healthy cyber safety culture across Qatari schools.
  
  For more information also click here and here.
- 3.2. Bachelor’s level cyber security programme 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is at least one cyber security / electronic information security focused programme at Bachelor’s or equivalent level.
  Accepted references
  Accredited study programme
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.ccq.edu.qa/English/Programs/Bachelor-Degrees/Pages/BS-Cyber-Network-Security.aspx
- 3.3. Master’s level cyber security programme 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is at least one cyber security / electronic information security focused programme at Master’s or equivalent level.
  Accepted references
  Accredited study programme
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.hbku.edu.qa/en/cse/ms-cybersecurity
- 3.4. PhD level cyber security programme 0
  
  0
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is at least one cyber security / electronic information security focused programme at PhD or equivalent level.
  Accepted references
  Accredited study programme
  
  Evidence
- 3.5. Cyber security professional association 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is a professional association of cyber/electronic information security specialists, managers or auditors.
  Accepted references
  Website
  
  Evidence
  
  https://owasp.org/www-chapter-doha/
4. Contribution to global cyber security 1/6 17%

1
6 17%
- 4.1. Convention on Cybercrime 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The country has ratified the Convention on Cybercrime.
  Accepted references
  Official website of the convention
  
  Evidence
- 4.2. Representation in international cooperation formats 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government is regularly represented in a cooperation format that is dedicated to international cyber security (e.g. FIRST).
  Accepted references
  Official website of the cooperation format
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.first.org/members/teams/q-cert
- 4.3. International cyber security organisation hosted by the country 0
  
  0
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  A regional or international cyber security organisation is hosted by the country.
  Accepted references
  Organisation’s official website
  
  Evidence
- 4.4. Cyber security capacity building for other countries 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The country has (co-)financed or (co-)organised at least one capacity building project for another country in the last 3 years.
  Accepted references
  Official website or project document
  
  Evidence

BASELINE CYBER SECURITY INDICATORS

5. Protection of digital services 1/5 20%

1
5 20%
- 5.1. Cyber security responsibility for digital service providers 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  According to legislation, digital service providers (except micro and small enterprises): (1) must manage cyber/ICT risks or (2) must implement established cyber/information security requirements.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
- 5.2. Cyber security standard for the public sector 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Public sector digital service providers must implement (1) cyber/ICT security requirements (defined by legislation) or (2) a widely recognised security standard.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.motc.gov.qa/en/documents/document/national-information-assurance-policy
  
  National Information Assurance Policy
  
  https://www.qcert.org/sites/default/files/public/documents/cs_national_ics_security_standard_en_v3.1_0.pdf
  
  National ICS security Standard
- 5.3. Competent supervisory authority 0
  
  0
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has a competent authority in the field of cyber/information security that has the power to supervise public and private digital service providers regarding the implementation of cyber/information security requirements.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
6. Protection of essential services 2/6 33%

2
6 33%
- 6.1. Operators of essential services are identified 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is a legal act that allows to identify operators of essential services.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
- 6.2. Cyber security requirements for operators of essential services 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  According to the legislation, operators of essential services must manage cyber/ICT risks.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.qcert.org/sites/default/files/public/documents/cs_national_ics_security_standard_en_v3.1_0.pdf
  
  National ICS security Standard
- 6.3. Competent supervisory authority 0
  
  0
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has a competent authority in the field of cyber/information security that has the power to supervise operators of essential services, regarding cyber/information security requirements.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
- 6.4. Regular monitoring of security measures 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Operators of essential services must regularly (at least once every 3 years) provide evidence of the effective implementation of cyber/information security policies (e.g. audit result, documentation, specific report).
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.motc.gov.qa/en/cyber-security/key-activities-and-objectives
  
  Critical Information Infrastructure Protection
7. E-identification and trust services 5/9 56%

5
9 56%
- 7.1. Unique persistent identifier 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government provides a unique persistent identifier to all citizens, residents, and legal entities. For example, the identifier remains the same after document expiration and name change.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
- 7.2. Requirements for cryptosystems 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Requirements for cryptosystems in the field of trust services are regulated.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
- 7.3. Electronic identification 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Electronic identification is regulated.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
- 7.4. Electronic signature 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  E-signature is regulated
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.motc.gov.qa/en/documents/document/qatars-e-commerce-law
  
  Decree Law No. (16) of 2010 on the Promulgation of the Electronic Commerce and Transactions Law, Chapter Five, Electronic Signature, Article 28
- 7.5. Timestamping 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Timestamping is regulated.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
- 7.6. Electronic registered delivery service 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Electronic registered delivery service between state entities, citizens and private sector entities is regulated. The service provides legally binding data exchange and guarantees the confidentiality and integrity of information.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.motc.gov.qa/en/programs-shared-services/shared-services-applications/morasalat
  
  http://www.motc.gov.qa/en/programs-shared-services/shared-services-applications/government-data-exchange-system
  
  http://www.motc.gov.qa/en/qatar-digital-government/programs-shared-services/shared-services-applications
- 7.7. Competent supervisory authority 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is an authority responsible for the supervision of qualified trust service providers.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.motc.gov.qa/sites/default/files/documents/E-commerce%20bylaws%20-%202012.pdf
  
  Chapter 2,3
8. Protection of personal data 4/4 100%

4
4 100%
- 8.1. Personal data protection legislation 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is a legal act for personal data protection.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.almeezan.qa/LawPage.aspx?id=7121&language=ar
  
  Law No. (13) of 2016 Concerning the Protection of the Privacy of Personal Data
  
  http://www.motc.gov.qa/en/documents/document/qatar-issues-personal-data-privacy-law-5
- 8.2. Personal data protection authority 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is an independent public supervisory authority that is responsible for personal data protection.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://compliance.qcert.org/en
  
  “Compliance and Data Protection (CDP) department, a department of the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) and the Government of the State of Qatar (...) In addition, CDP is considered the competent department to implement the Personal Data Privacy Protection Law”

INCIDENT AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT INDICATORS

9. Cyber incidents response 3/6 50%

3
6 50%
- 9.1. Cyber incidents response unit 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has a unit (CSIRT, CERT, CIRT, etc.) that is specialised in national-level cyber incident detection and response.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.qcert.org
- 9.2. Reporting responsibility 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Digital service providers and operators of essential services have an obligation to notify appointed government authorities of cyber security incidents.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
- 9.3. Single point of contact for international coordination 0
  
  0
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has designated a single point of contact for international cyber security coordination.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
10. Cyber crisis management 2/5 40%

2
5 40%
- 10.1. Cyber crisis management plan 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has established a crisis management plan for large-scale cyber incidents.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
- 10.2. National-level cyber crisis management exercise 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has conducted a national-level cyber crisis management exercise or a crisis management exercise with a cyber component in the last 3 years.
  Accepted references
  Exercise document/website or press release
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.motc.gov.qa/en/news-events/news/motc-organizes-8th-national-cybersecurity-drill-%E2%80%9Cstar-8%E2%80%9D
  
  Star 8
  
  https://www.motc.gov.qa/en/news-events/news/motc%E2%80%99s-7th-national-cybersecurity-drill-%E2%80%9Cstar-7%E2%80%9D-begins
  
  Star 7
- 10.3. Participation in international cyber crisis exercises 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The country's team has participated in an international cyber crisis management exercise in the last 3 years.
  Accepted references
  Exercise document/website or press release
  
  Evidence
- 10.4. Operational support of volunteers in cyber crises 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The procedures for using volunteers in the field of cyber security are established by legislation.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
11. Fight against cybercrime 7/9 78%

7
9 78%
- 11.1. Cybercrimes are criminalised 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Cybercrimes are defined by legislation.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.almeezan.qa/LawPage.aspx?id=6366&language=ar
  
  Cybercrime Prevention Law (Law No. 14 of 2014); unofficial English version can be accessed here.
  
  https://www.almeezan.qa/LawArticles.aspx?LawTreeSectionID=289&lawId=26&language=ar
  
  Penal Code (Law No. 11) of 2004 (see articles 370 - 387 “computer crimes”)
- 11.2. Cybercrime unit 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is a government entity with a specific function of combatting cybercrime.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://goo.gl/oVCpch
- 11.3. Digital forensics unit 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is a government entity with a specific function of digital forensics.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.qcert.org/services/digital-forensics
- 11.4. 24/7 contact point for international cybercrime 0
  
  0
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has designated an international 24/7 contact point for cybercrimes.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
12. Military cyber operations 1/6 17%

1
6 17%
- 12.1. Cyber operations unit 0
  
  0
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Military forces have a unit (cyber command, etc.) that is specialised in planning and conducting cyber operations.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
- 12.2. Cyber operations exercise 0
  
  0
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Military forces have conducted a cyber operations exercise or an exercise with a cyber operations component in the country in the last 3 years.
  Accepted references
  Exercise document/website or press release
  
  Evidence
- 12.3. Participation in international cyber exercises 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The country's military team has participated in an international cyber operations exercise in the last 3 years.
  Accepted references
  Exercise document/website or press release
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.raya.com/2021/11/14/%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%A9-13-%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%88%D8%B7%D9%86/
  
  Exercise “home”
  
  “(...) exercise will be held (...) for a period of three days, and will simulate joint work between the security and military authorities and other 28 participating parties, pointing out that 13 countries, (...) will participate in the exercise, so as to reach full readiness to secure the country during the world Cup championships (...)
  
  There is a large international participation in the exercise, as military elements from several countries participate in it, including: the United States of America, Russia, Turkey, Spain, Britain, Oman, France, Ireland, Kuwait, Portugal, Pakistan, Jordan, Italy, Germany. (...)
  
  scenarios that will be included in the exercise (...) training on how to respond to cybersecurity attacks and deal with cases of sit-ins and hacking”
  
  Additional information can also be found here.

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The information provided on the NCSI website is based on publicly available evidence materials. The appearance in the index and subsequent ranking is commensurate to the existence and public availability of such information. The NCSI links to third party websites and information. The NCSI and eGA are not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of third party website information.

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Q-CERT

Archived data from 2016-2023

60. Qatar 58.44

NCSI FULFILMENT PERCENTAGE

NCSI DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE 3 years All data

RANKING TIMELINE

Version 11 Feb 2022 Choose a version 11 Feb 2022 18 Feb 2019 15 Feb 2018

GENERAL CYBER SECURITY INDICATORS

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BASELINE CYBER SECURITY INDICATORS

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INCIDENT AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT INDICATORS

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Version 11 Feb 2022