Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to implementing its cybersecurity strategy, a plan endorsed in 2022 by the Ministerial Council for National Security.
Al-Sudani made this announcement during a crucial meeting with Lieutenant General Jose Antonio Aguero Martinez, the new commander of the NATO Mission in Iraq (NMI), and his accompanying delegation, as reported by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
The high-level meeting delved into various critical aspects, including an assessment of NMI’s progress in its mission, collaborative efforts in training and advising the Iraqi armed forces, the continuous strengthening of the Iraqi forces’ on-ground capabilities, and the persistent operations aimed at eliminating remnants of the ISIS terrorist group.
One of the key highlights of the meeting was the submission of the final report by Martinez, summarizing the evaluations of cybersecurity threats within Iraq. Prime Minister Al-Sudani commended NMI’s dedication to Iraq’s security and revealed the establishment of a supreme committee for cybersecurity. This committee aims to bolster the collective efforts of various security agencies in safeguarding Iraq’s digital infrastructure and interests.
This gathering comes on the heels of a recent cybersecurity incident in Baghdad. Just two weeks ago, Iraqi authorities were compelled to shut down LED advertisement screens across the capital city after a hacker managed to broadcast explicit content on one of the screens. The incident occurred at Uqba bin Nafia Square, a prominent intersection in the heart of Baghdad, where the hacker displayed explicit material for several minutes, causing a public outcry.
This incident underscores the urgency of enhancing cybersecurity measures within the country. It is not the first time Iraqi officials have highlighted the need for international support in the realm of cybersecurity. In April, Iraq’s National Security Advisor, Qasim Al-Araji, emphasized the importance of foreign aid in this domain during a meeting with NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Operations, Thomas Goffus. Al-Araji stressed the significance of keeping pace with global technological advancements to protect Iraq’s digital infrastructure from emerging threats.
As Iraq reaffirms its commitment to bolstering its cybersecurity defenses, international cooperation and assistance will likely play a pivotal role in safeguarding the nation’s digital assets against evolving cyber threats.
