Qatari Newspapers Editorials

Doha, December 27 (QNA) - Qatari newspapers highlighted in their editorials on Tuesday Qatar's keenness on cybersecurity and preparing qualified national cadres to protect cyberspace, praising the accurate and rapid plans and action mechanisms that the National Cyber Security Agency put in place during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 to confront all potential risks to State institutions. The Qatari dailies also hailed the achievements made by the tourism sector during the first half of 2022, noting that the Qatar has become an important tourist destination in the region, and has contributed to supporting the tourism sector at the regional level. Al-Sharq noted the efforts of the National Cyber Security Agency in partnership with relevant authorities in the State, most importantly the Ministry of Defense. The paper said that securing cyberspace for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in particular and for the country in general presented a great challenge to the National Cyber Security Agency, at a time when the world is witnessing a steady increase in cyber attacks. Al-Sharq noted that the Agency's members deserve to be honored after they succeeded carrying out the tasks assigned to them to the fullest, in cooperation with the competent authorities in the country, through the careful implementation of the plans set by the Agency, and the immediate action to deter all cyber threats and risks posed to various institutions in the country with complete success. The establishment of the National Cyber Security Agency reflect the wise vision of the leadership and its early awareness of the magnitude of the challenges facing Qatar, mainly during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - the largest and most important tournament in the world, Al-Sharq stressed. Al-Sharq said that honoring 38 officer candidates in the Ministry of Defense in recognition of their participation in protecting and securing cyberspace in the State of Qatar during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, in the presence of HE President of the National Cyber Security Agency Eng. Abdulrahman bin Ali Al Farahid Al Malki, and HE Commander of Qatar Amiri Signal and Information Technology Corps Brig. Gen. Zayed bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, affirmed the State's keenness on its national cadres, and investing in the Qatari youth and promoting their capabilities in various fields. Under the headline "Qatar Succeeded in Cybersecurity Challenge", Al-Raya underlined the State of Qatar's interest in cybersecurity through its keenness to prepare qualified national cadres to protect cyberspace, especially during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, noting that the national cadres succeeded in securing the tournament, and maintaining the running of the World Cup without any problems. The paper noted that the National Cyber Security Agency honored yesterday 38 officer candidates in the Ministry of Defense in recognition of their participation in protecting and securing cyberspace in the State of Qatar during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The Agency had developed plans and precise and rapid work mechanisms to address any risk to various institutions, and was able to deter all risks, through active participation with the relevant authorities, most importantly the Ministry of Defense. This confirms the great importance that the State attaches to cybersecurity issues, and the protection of the national vital information infrastructure, the paper indicated. Al-Raya underlined that the State of Qatar seeks to provide a safe information environment for various sectors to provide integrated electronic services, especially in light of the nature of cyberspace that is not restricted by any borders, which may provide some malicious parties with opportunities to penetrate the data of individuals and companies and harm them. The State was keen on protecting itself from cyber attacks, as well as developing, qualifying and raising the capabilities of the national competencies to face these challenges and confront current and emerging risks and threats. Qatar National Cyber Security Strategy was developed to provide a governance structure to deal with cybersecurity issues collectively at the highest levels of government, in order to respond to, resolve and recover from cyber incidents and attacks, by sharing information at the right time, given that the Internet and cyberspace have no borders, and they represent a great challenge, the paper said. Information security has become at the forefront of the agendas of countries, companies and institutions in all their forms around the world. Electronic threats are not directed against a specific country or institution, rather target everyone and has become a source of danger to all economies of the world. Certainly, the World Cup was among the targets of malicious actors that threaten cybersecurity, therefore Qatar prepared well for this challenge, succeeded in it and was able to maintain the security of information and cyberspace, Al-Raya concluded. For its part, Al-Watan newspaper stated that the positive figures achieved by the tourism sector in the State of Qatar during the first half of this year reflected the large and qualitative boom that the sector has witnessed in recent years. The State of Qatar has become an important tourist destination in the region and contributed to supporting the tourism sector regionally. With Qatar's hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Qatar's position will be strengthened on the global tourism map due to its huge infrastructure, luxury hotels and resorts, charming nature, and the capabilities it possesses after hosting the most important football event in the world and the Middle East. Qatar is expected to have high future growth rates post-World Cup, the paper considered. Qatar has worked to develop products, tourism experiences, and entertainment events to meet the aspirations of visitors who became tourist ambassadors while attending the World Cup. The tourists enjoyed the great tourism facilities by sharing the details of their trip to Qatar during this tournament full of suspense with their friends and families. Many factors contributed to the increase in the number of visitors to Qatar besides the World Cup, the most important of which is the tourism events and shows hosted such as the Doha Jewelry and Watches Exhibition, one of the most important and successful exhibitions regionally and internationally, and an ideal destination for luxury lovers, and the summer events and major sports tournaments, which enhance Qatar's presence on the world tourism map, especially after it was named the capital of Arab Tourism Capital, recognizing the wonderful and pioneering city that offers an amazing tourist experience for all international travelers, the paper said. Under the headline "A unanimous praise," the English-language newspaper The Peninsula stated, "It was not surprising that some Western countries and their media panicked when they saw that their bets on the failure of the State of Qatar to host and organize the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 completely turned wrong. And that the State of Qatar has not only succeeded in winning the bets but has also won the hearts and minds of football fans who visited the country and saw what Qatar offered to its guests." The global sporting event was a great symbolic and diplomatic success for Qatar. Under different pretexts, media in many European countries tried to discourage people not to attend the World Cup in Qatar but it was disappointing for them to see more than 1.4 million people visit Qatar during the 29-day event, with a cumulative attendance reaching 3.4 million over the 64 games for an average match attendance of over 53,000, the paper stressed. The outstanding consensus of the organization of the sporting event has also been confirmed by the survey conducted by the BBC. 78 percent of respondents in a global, online survey conducted by the BBC voted in favor of World Cup Qatar 2022 terming it as the ‘best World Cup this century’. Up against the 2002 to 2018 versions of football’s biggest tournament, the 22nd version of the World Cup won the majority of the votes with 78 percent. Meanwhile, the other versions won votes in the range of 3 percent (2010 in South Africa) and 6 percent (2002 Japan/South Korea), the paper noted. In conclusion, The Peninsula said, "The poll highlighted the memorable events of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, which was abundant in huge upsets and jaw-dropping shocks from the get-go. Qatar 2022 set new standards for stadium innovation, public transportation, and sustainable practices that will leave an important legacy for the way future World Cups and other mega events are staged around the globe." (QNA)