Operational Technology Cybersecurity Center of Excellence and Aramco Launched OT Cybersecurity Hackathon at Dhahran Techno Valley
The Operational Technology Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (OTC-CoE), established as a partnership between Aramco and the Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF), organized the OT Cybersecurity Hackathon, which took place at Dhahran Techno Valley in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. The event brought together international participants including technology leaders, students, specialists, researchers, and experts from key sectors.
The Hackathon is part of the OTC-CoE’s efforts to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders across critical sectors, develop specialized capabilities, and advance the exchange of knowledge and expertise in OT cybersecurity. Through these efforts, the Center seeks to support greater alignment across the OT cybersecurity ecosystem and strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure as a key enabler of economic and social development.
Alongside founding partners Aramco and GCF, the OTC-CoE brings together leading Saudi and international organizations from across the OT cybersecurity value chain including SITE, Cyberani, Honeywell, Schneider Electric, and SABIC. The Center advances its objectives through five areas of work: capacity development; standardization and policy support; research and innovation; thought leadership; and awareness.
The Hackathon was a practical application of the Center’s capacity development efforts, providing participants with the opportunity to exchange knowledge and expertise on priority issues in OT cybersecurity and receive mentorship and guidance from national and international experts.
Over four days, 40 teams pitched their strategies, prototypes, and threat models across four challenge tracks, with each track reflecting a security priority for OT environments. Participants gained hands-on experience working with peers from across the industry, and they also had access to mentorship and the chance to compete for prizes.
The OT Cybersecurity Hackathon was open to cybersecurity experts, students, researchers, and professionals, including employees from oil, gas, utilities operators and vendors, and government entities.
The OTC-CoE recognizes the need to strengthen international collaboration among stakeholders across the OT cybersecurity value chain, supporting the resilience of critical infrastructure and supply chains and the security and continuity of strategic sectors.
