Saturday 12 / September / 2026
SALALAH: The fifth edition of the Critical Infrastructure Security and Safety Symposium, held alongside the inaugural Security and Safety Exhibition, concluded in Salalah on September 9, marking another significant milestone in Oman’s efforts to strengthen the protection, resilience and preparedness of critical infrastructure.
Held from September 7 to 9 at the Sultan Qaboos Cultural and Entertainment Centre in Salalah, the three-day event brought together around 350 participants from Oman, the GCC, the wider Arab world and the international community, with 36 specialised papers presented by experts and professionals in security, safety, risk management, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection.
The closing ceremony was held under the patronage of His Highness Sayyid Marwan bin Turki Al Said, Governor of Dhofar, and was attended by Brigadier General (Ret.) Saeed bin Sulaiman Al Asimi, Chief Executive Officer of the Security and Safety Services Foundation, as well as Sheikh Naif bin Hamad bin Amer Fadhil, Chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Dhofar Branch, alongside senior officials, specialists, representatives of government and private-sector organisations, and leading companies in the security and safety sector.
A growing platform for critical infrastructure protection
The fifth edition reinforced the symposium’s position as a specialised platform for bringing together decision-makers, experts, practitioners and technology providers to address the evolving challenges facing critical infrastructure.
The discussions highlighted the changing nature of security threats and the need to move beyond traditional reactive approaches towards preventive, intelligence-led and technology-enabled security systems.
Opening the event, Brigadier General (Ret.) Saeed Al Asimi stressed that security is no longer limited to conventional protective measures, but has become an institutional responsibility and a strategic investment in protecting national assets, supporting economic activity and strengthening resilience.
He highlighted the growing importance of preventive security, data-driven risk assessment, advanced technology, continuous training and early detection in protecting critical infrastructure and ensuring operational continuity.
36 papers covering emerging security and safety challenges
A major achievement of this year’s symposium was the presentation of 36 specialised papers, providing a broad platform for the exchange of knowledge and international best practices.
The papers covered a wide range of issues, including critical infrastructure security strategies, industrial security engineering, workforce management, risk assessment, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, occupational health and safety, psychological safety, emergency preparedness, disaster management, information security and document protection.
The first day featured nine papers addressing critical infrastructure security strategies, international development perspectives, workforce management and smart accident prediction.
The second day included 12 papers focusing on the human factor in security, critical infrastructure protection, international laws and regulations governing critical facilities, risk assessment, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
The final day featured 15 papers addressing psychological safety in the workplace, the “Ain Oman” artificial intelligence platform, strategies for dealing with natural disasters, information security and document protection.
The diversity of speakers and topics underscored the symposium’s increasingly international character and its role in connecting Omani expertise with GCC, Arab and global experience.
First Security and Safety Exhibition adds a technology and business dimension
Running alongside the symposium, the first Security and Safety Exhibition provided a dedicated platform for companies and institutions to showcase the latest technologies and solutions designed to strengthen security, safety and risk management.
The exhibition featured innovative solutions in smart surveillance, artificial intelligence, data analysis, integrated security systems and other emerging technologies, giving participants an opportunity to explore practical tools for improving prevention, preparedness and emergency response.
The participation of international technology companies added an important global dimension to the exhibition. Among the prominent exhibitors were Hikvision Oman, headed by General Manager Oliver Wang, and Oriental Security Technology SPC, headed by General Manager Shao Wei.
Their participation highlighted the growing role of advanced technology and artificial intelligence in transforming security and safety operations, while creating opportunities for knowledge exchange, technology partnerships and potential investment.
B2B platform opens new opportunities for partnerships
One of the exhibition’s key features was its Business-to-Business (B2B) platform, which facilitated direct meetings between companies, government entities and organisations involved in security, safety and related services.
The platform helped create opportunities for commercial cooperation and strategic partnerships, with several agreements and memoranda of understanding signed during the event.
Among the agreements were arrangements involving Al Sharqiya Aviation, DER A LLC and the Security and Safety Services Foundation, focusing on the integration of helicopter services into security and safety operations. Cooperation was also established in relation to aerial support services for the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning.
The agreements demonstrated the event’s ability to move beyond knowledge exchange and translate professional networking into practical cooperation and business opportunities.
Artificial intelligence and cybersecurity at the heart of future security
Artificial intelligence and cybersecurity emerged as two of the most important themes throughout the symposium.
Participants examined the potential of AI to transform critical infrastructure protection through smart surveillance, predictive analytics, anomaly detection, automated response and early identification of potential threats.
The discussions also highlighted the need to strengthen cybersecurity for operational technology, industrial control systems and sensitive information, particularly as critical infrastructure becomes increasingly connected and digitally dependent.
A key recommendation was the establishment of a Regional Centre for AI Safety in Oman, which would provide a specialised platform for research, standards development, capacity building and the responsible application of artificial intelligence in security and safety.
Recommendations focus on resilience and long-term preparedness
The symposium concluded with a comprehensive set of recommendations aimed at strengthening critical infrastructure security and safety at national and regional levels.
Key recommendations included developing advanced AI-powered early-warning and risk-monitoring systems, enhancing cybersecurity capabilities, establishing specialised cyber incident response teams, strengthening occupational health and safety programmes, and improving psychological support for personnel working in critical environments.
The recommendations also called for stronger protection of official documents and sensitive information, improved business continuity and disaster recovery planning, enhanced cooperation between government, security, civil and technology sectors, and greater investment in research, innovation and specialised training.
Participants further emphasised the importance of updating legislation and national policies governing critical infrastructure protection and developing common standards for security, safety, inspection and accountability.
Dhofar strengthens its position as a destination for specialised events
The successful conclusion of the fifth edition further strengthened Dhofar’s profile as a destination for specialised professional and strategic events.
With its combination of an international symposium, specialised exhibition and B2B business platform, the event created opportunities not only for knowledge exchange but also for investment, commercial cooperation and professional networking.
The participation of 350 professionals and the presentation of 36 papers demonstrated the growing scale and reach of the symposium, while the presence of international technology companies reinforced Salalah’s ability to connect local stakeholders with global expertise and solutions.
A platform for the future
The fifth Critical Infrastructure Security and Safety Symposium concluded with a clear message: protecting critical infrastructure requires a shift towards prevention, resilience, innovation and continuous preparedness.
As threats become increasingly complex — ranging from cyberattacks and technological vulnerabilities to industrial incidents and natural disasters — effective protection requires closer cooperation between government institutions, the private sector, technology companies, researchers and specialised professionals.
With five editions now completed, the symposium has established itself as a valuable platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange across Oman, the GCC, the Arab world and the international community.
The outcomes of this year’s event are expected to contribute to strengthening security and safety practices, supporting innovation and digital transformation, and enhancing the resilience of critical infrastructure in Oman.
They also support the Sultanate’s broader development priorities under Oman Vision 2040, particularly in building a resilient, sustainable and technology-enabled economy capable of responding effectively to emerging risks and future challenges.
