Oman Team Excels at SPIEF 2024 Standoff Cyberbattle

Oman’s cybersecurity team, Insight Information Security, made a notable impact at the Standoff International Cyberbattle, held for the first time at the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2024. This event saw experts from over two dozen countries across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa participating in intense cyber exercises designed to enhance cybersecurity skills and knowledge.

The Standoff cyberbattle involved a series of online and offline exercises where cybersecurity specialists tested various cyberattack defense tools and strategies using a virtual state model. This model simulated complex cyberattacks on realistic IT system replicas from sectors including finance, industry, power, oil and gas, and utilities.

During the four-day event, defense teams logged 425 incidents and investigated 145 attacks, while attackers identified 112 vulnerabilities and triggered 12 critical events. The award ceremony featured notable figures such as Alexander Shoitov, Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communications, and Mass Media of Russia, and Tatyana Matveeva, Chief of the Presidential Directorate for ICT Development.

Among the 42 teams from 21 countries, including Bahrain and Oman, Insight Information Security stood out. The Insight Warriors attacker team achieved recognition for the highest number of accepted reports, detecting 25 vulnerabilities and securing the second-highest score. Meanwhile, the Insight CyberX defenders ranked among the top three blue teams by the number of detected incidents.

Motasim Alanburi, Senior Cyber Security Analyst at Insight Information Security, highlighted the importance of such cyber exercises. “The growing popularity of cyber exercises reflects the increasing cyber threats organizations face. These exercises provide specialists with valuable experience in defending against simulated attacks, expanding their knowledge, and networking with other professionals.”

Alexey Novikov, Managing Director at Positive Technologies, emphasized the significance of regular cyberrange exercises. “With rising cyber threats and a global talent shortage, ongoing cyber exercises are essential for building effective cybersecurity. The Standoff Cyberbattle provides a vital platform for global expertise exchange, reinforcing the need for international cooperation in combating cybercrime.”

Positive Technologies has been hosting the Standoff Cyberbattle since 2016. The event has evolved from its initial format, expanding to include global exercises and biannual offline competitions. Over the years, more than 4,500 cybersecurity experts from 30 countries have participated, with 350 companies strengthening their defenses.