International Workshops on Internet Security: Enhancing Information Exchange Safeguards

Ensuring secure information exchange in cyberspace for facilitating sustainable socio-economic development in the South

To address this challenge, the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS), the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), and the Inter Islamic Network on Information Technology (INIT) organized a series of eight training workshops to raise awareness in the field of Internet and information security in developing countries, particularly in their member States. 

The aim of these workshops was to provide a forum for young scientists and professionals from developing countries to learn about the latest advancements in Internet security; promote the use of state-of-the-art technologies to protect network and network-accessible resources from malicious attacks; and identify effective Internet and information security solutions for the general public, governmental organizations and commercial ventures. They addressed the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 4 on quality education; SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth; SDG 9 on industry, innovation and infrastructure; and SDG 17 on partnerships for the Goals. 

The workshops were held in Jordan, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Qatar, the Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia, Turkey and the United Republic of Tanzania. For each workshop, COMSATS selected a panel of five or six experts in the field of Internet and information security, originally from Pakistan but working at various universities and commercial organizations in Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and other countries. Participants from the host country included researchers, practitioners, academics, executives, system administrators, system programmers and students working in the field of Internet and information security and cryptography. Approximately 10 to 15 foreign participants belonging to ISESCO and INIT member States also participated in each workshop. The events therefore facilitated the systemic and cross-country transfer of information, knowledge and good practices. 

Each workshop included technical presentations, tutorials and hands-on training sessions conducted by designated subject experts and covering the major aspects of Internet and information security, including theoretical understanding of cryptographic algorithms, practical subtleties of network systems and related managerial and technical issues. In addition, network security tools were demonstrated to provide participants with opportunities to update their knowledge base and interact with experts for further collaborative undertakings. 

COMSATS selected and financially sponsored the subject experts designated to conduct the training sessions of each workshop. The local participants were selected and supported by host institutes. ISESCO and INIT selected and sponsored the additional foreign participants from their respective member countries. The technical programme and training manuals for each event were prepared by the designated experts and approved by the partners.