HIBAPRESS
The Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister in charge of the National Defense Administration, Abdel Latif Loudiyi, affirmed on Monday in Rabat that securing information systems and enhancing their resilience is no longer optional, but a necessity imposed by digital transformations.
Speaking at the opening session of the National Cybersecurity Week, organized by the General Directorate for Information Systems Security, affiliated with the National Defense Administration, under the theme "Cybersecurity in Service of Digital Transformation and Development," Mr. Loudiyi said, "What unites us today is a firm conviction that securing information systems and enhancing their resilience is no longer optional, but a necessity imposed by digital transformations." He considered that "cybersecurity is a means through which we seek to build a secure digital space, where digital transition succeeds, which we consider a priority project and an accelerator of economic and social development in our countries."
He highlighted that this forum came to be a space for purposeful dialogue on the challenges posed by cybersecurity and to explore ways to confront them through common approaches, noting that "the starting point is the acknowledgment of the impact of cyberattacks, which cannot be ignored. Cyberattacks are no longer virtual risks discussed in specialized meetings, but have become a tangible reality faced by all countries without exception, including developed countries."
After pointing out the damages caused by these attacks that have contributed to raising the awareness of institutions, whether public or private, about the importance of cybersecurity in risk management, Mr. Loudiyi considered that this "proves, beyond any doubt, that it is not a luxury nor just an additional cost, but has become central to institutional governance, and a condition for the continuity of their activities and the protection of their interests."
In the same context, the minister stressed that "it is no longer possible to be content with addressing incidents after they occur. A proactive, readiness-based approach involving early detection and response is required. This approach starts from the highest levels of decision-making within each institution and includes its various components, each according to its position and responsibilities."
He explained that confronting these challenges requires continuing efforts within a clear national vision that defines priorities and directions and ensures coordination between stakeholders. He affirmed that this vision is based on five integrated axes: a clear legal and regulatory framework that defines responsibilities, governs commitments, and keeps pace with developments in the field; developing human, technical, and financial capabilities; raising awareness and spreading a culture of cybersecurity; enhancing monitoring, response, and protection capabilities; and finally, regional and international cooperation.
In this regard, Mr. Loudiyi said that "these efforts, however important, are only building blocks in a cohesive national system, which is completed only by the integration of roles. The General Directorate has its powers granted by law, and every owner of an information system has the responsibility to protect their system and allocate the necessary resources for it. Through this integration, we build our collective resilience."
He added that "the resilience we seek is not a project that we complete and then close the chapter on, but continuous work that requires adaptation to developments, because threats are constantly evolving, and attackers do not stop inventing new methods. Therefore, our responsibility requires us to raise the level of vigilance, review protection methods, and test the readiness of our systems."
He continued, "In this domain, it is not enough to prepare for today's threats; we must also anticipate tomorrow's threats. For this purpose, our field experience and the lessons we have learned lead us to say that four fundamental challenges deserve priority in the coming phase."
These challenges, according to the minister, include training and qualifying specialized personnel in cybersecurity, supporting national companies operating in the cybersecurity field, securing and protecting critical infrastructure, in addition to the challenges posed by artificial intelligence in its relationship with cybersecurity. He considered that this intelligence "is a weapon in the hands of attackers, but it is also a promising tool in the hands of defenders, enabling early detection of threats and accelerating response."
The minister also highlighted the importance of regional and international cooperation, recalling that based on this conviction, the Kingdom of Morocco, in accordance with the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, is keen to actively engage in initiatives and mechanisms aimed at strengthening cooperation between countries, while paying special attention to its African and Arab surroundings.
The minister concluded that building a secure digital space is a shared responsibility, "which requires all of us to continue working, strengthen coordination, invest in skills, and entrench a culture of vigilance and awareness. Trust is what we build together, and cybersecurity is its foundation."
The National Cybersecurity Week, organized by the General Directorate for Information Systems Security, affiliated with the National Defense Administration, from October 12 to 14, features a rich and varied program of roundtables and workshops, forming a space for discussion and exchange of views on the most prominent issues in the field, with the presence and participation of an elite group of decision-makers, experts, and professionals in the field of cybersecurity.
