Expert Panel: Education key to maintaining cyber security

DOHA, QATAR – With increasing levels of computer viruses affecting not only citizens, but also governments and corporations in Qatar and the Middle East, Monday’s panel discussion on The Role of Cyber Security in Maintaining Public Security under the Patronage of H.E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani, Minister of State for Interior Affairs, came at an apt moment in time.

The panel comprised H.E. Staff Major General Saad Bin Jassim Al Khulaifi, Director General of Public Security (Chief of Police), Ministry of Interior; Dr. Raj Reddy, Moza Bint Nasser University professor at Carnegie Mellon University; Dr. Gordon Bell, Distinguished Scholar, Principal Researcher, Microsoft Research; and Dr. Ahmed Elmagarmid, Executive Director, Qatar Computing Research Institute

Viruses, worms and malware – among them the Stuxnet worm and the Flame modular computer malware – that threaten the cyber security of corporations and governments may at first appear to be large organizational problems, but Reddy outlined practical steps individuals can take to protect themselves and their institutions in an age of growing cyber warfare. Among them, he said, are enabling automatic updates, using strong passwords and backing-up all critical information.

Behind this, Reddy argued, is the need for robust education – within government and businesses and importantly amongst individuals – to mitigate the threats that virtual security roadblocks cannot provide.

Ilker Baybars, Dean of Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, commented on the challenges facing society in attaining cyber security:

"Many computers get attacked and abused by both individuals and organizations. We have made a lot of progress in the area of cyber security; however people are still not aware of how to use these systems safely. Carnegie Mellon is at the forefront of this vital research.

“This research becomes ever more necessary, as more teenagers trust social media sites and expose their personal information online. Through education we can raise awareness so that a strong message is delivered about how to use technology safely,” he added.