The American University of Iraq-Baghdad (AUIB) hosted a conference organized by “Smart Oasis,” a provider of solutions in information technology, cybersecurity, and communications technologies. The conference on “Challenges in Cybersecurity in the Era of Digital Transformation” was attended by a host of representatives of banks, Iraqi and international companies, delegates from the Iraqi Prime Ministry, Ministries of Defense and Oil, intelligence agencies and various governmental bodies, in addition to the head of the Iraqi Engineers Union and Judges.
AUIB campus was the location of choice for Smart Oasis to host its conference because the University is the company’s most prominent project, as AUIB represents “the first smart city in Iraq,” with its data center being the largest in the country, according to the company’s Vice President, Mr. Saro Manuel. In developing its software and providing solutions in cybersecurity, Internet of Things, and control systems in facilities of the energy sector and other sectors, Smart Oasis relies on an entirely Iraqi cadre that mainly consists of a hundred engineers who adopt best practices developed over a period of ten years of experience, Mr. Manuel explained, citing the 27 ISO certifications that the company has earned as testimony to the quality of its services and to its competence.
Building competent cadre in cybersecurity is a necessity to the Iraqi economy, maintained the CEO of AUIB’s Continuing Education Institute, Mr. Ziad Chaaban, explaining that the process of building such cadre hinges on two tracks, the first yielding results in the long run, based on conventional university education in the field, and the second yielding results in the short run, by training the workforce currently in employment in the information technology industry, via continuing education programs. The process of digital transformation requires coordination among governmental bodies, private sector institutions, and universities, said Mr. Chaaban, stressing the need for relying on Iraqi cadre in this endeavor, to ensure sustainability.
The Iraqi government is serious in enacting digital transformation, and its role in the process is pivotal, affirmed the representative of the Communications and Media Commission, Mr. Mohammad Al-Gharbawi, pointing out the need for infrastructure that would safeguard the data of individuals, as well as public and private sector institutions. The government official also pointed out the need for new or enhanced laws in the field, and for the building and training of qualified cadre, and the exchange of expertise among countries.