NCA Boosts Cybersecurity to Safeguard Hajj Systems and Services
The National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) announced that more than 300 national entities and over one million pilgrims have benefited from the “Cybersecurity Enhancement Program for the Hajj Season 1446 AH.”
Developed to strengthen the cybersecurity readiness of technical systems and services supporting this year’s Hajj, the program also aims to build national cybersecurity capabilities and raise awareness among both pilgrims and staff involved in the pilgrimage. These efforts contribute to reinforcing national initiatives to deliver high-quality services to pilgrims.
The program consists of four main tracks: monitoring and responding to cyber threats, conducting technical cybersecurity assessments, enhancing professional capabilities, and raising public awareness. As part of these efforts, the NCA has activated its Cyber Operations Room, which operates 24/7 during the Hajj season to support participating national entities. The operations room monitors and analyzes cyber threats in real time, shares updates with relevant entities, and coordinates immediate responses to incidents through specialized cyber incident response teams.
In addition, the authority assists entities in conducting assessments to identify risks to digital assets and systems associated with Hajj services, helping ensure uninterrupted and secure operations for pilgrims.
This year, the NCA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, released the second edition of the Cyber Awareness Guide to promote safe digital practices during Hajj and Umrah. Published in 16 languages, the guide highlights the importance of cybersecurity and offers practical advice on topics such as application security, system updates, two-factor authentication, strong password management, and protection against phishing and social engineering. It also emphasizes safe internet browsing, the importance of regular data backups, and other essential practices to ensure secure digital behavior during this year’s Hajj season.
