Jordanian Experts Call for National Technological Solutions to Global Risks

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Jordanian Experts Call for National Technological Solutions to Global Risks
Amman - Leading experts in information technology and cybersecurity are urging Jordanian companies to develop national products and solutions to address global technological risks. Their recommendations emphasize the importance of creating resilient systems to ensure continuity and manage potential disruptions.اضافة اعلان

The experts, speaking to the Jordan News Agency (Petra), underscored the need for robust redundant and backup systems specifically designed for disaster recovery and service continuity. These systems should be activated to take over in the event of a primary system failure. They also stressed the necessity of continuous monitoring, keeping employees informed of issues and solutions, and implementing internal procedures for managing technical problems.

Nidal Bitar, CEO of the Information and Communications Technology Association (Int@j), highlighted the importance of Jordanian companies innovating national solutions to tackle global technological challenges. Bitar emphasized that digital sovereignty is crucial, reflecting a nation's ability to manage and control its digital destiny, including data, devices, and software.

Bitar expressed concern over the concentration of technological control in a few global centers, which limits market diversity and amplifies the influence of major tech companies. He called for a unified Arab strategy that considers regional characteristics and challenges to achieve digital sovereignty.

In light of the recent global technical malfunction affecting critical services such as banking and airports, Bitar stressed the importance of diversifying cybersecurity solutions and developing national alternatives. He noted that a varied approach to security systems reduces the impact of malfunctions in specific systems. Bitar also underscored the need for comprehensive emergency and business continuity plans to manage potential disruptions, commending the efforts of the National Cybersecurity Center and other relevant entities.

Investing in training and raising awareness among employees about cybersecurity, along with regular system updates to address new vulnerabilities, was another key recommendation. Bitar advocated for the development of local expertise through education and training programs to ensure sustainable cybersecurity protection.

Ahmed Al-Attoum, Head of the Cybersecurity and Cloud Computing Department at the Applied Science Private University, discussed a recent incident involving "CrowdStrike," a prominent global cybersecurity firm. The company’s update caused unexpected disruptions in cloud security services and some Microsoft services, highlighting the importance of redundant systems for disaster recovery and continuity.

Al-Attoum recommended thorough testing of updates before deployment and careful management to avoid unforeseen issues. He emphasized the need for effective emergency and crisis management plans and continuous network monitoring to preempt potential issues.

To mitigate future risks, Al-Attoum suggested that Jordanian sectors invest in robust, distributed cloud infrastructure and establish local and international data centers. He also highlighted the importance of developing local expertise in cloud technologies and collaborating with global tech companies to adopt cutting-edge solutions.

Strategic technology consultant Hani Al-Batsh proposed several measures for managing global technical disruptions, including checking for known outages, troubleshooting issues, and using offline alternatives. He advised companies to actively monitor situations, keep employees informed, and implement backup plans and communication protocols.

For governments, Al-Batsh recommended establishing communication channels to address wide-scale service interruptions affecting critical operations. He also suggested exploring alternative cloud solutions and investing in technologies that enable local storage with cloud synchronization.

Overall, experts agree that Jordanian companies and institutions must enhance their technological resilience and preparedness to navigate the complexities of global risks effectively.

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