Doha: The National Cyber Drill organized by the Qatar National Cybersecurity Agency (NCSA) stands as a prominent initiative in domestic and Arab efforts to tackle increasing digital threats. The 12th edition of this drill is scheduled for November 16, 2025, under the theme ‘Cross-Border Attacks.’
According to Qatar News Agency, Mohammed Murshid Al Mannai, the Director of the Cyber Resilience, Risk, and Insurance Department at NCSA, emphasized the drill’s role as a vital platform for testing national cyber readiness at both sectoral and corporate levels. This drill signifies a shift in how national compliance with regulatory and legislative frameworks is measured, especially in a rapidly changing cyber threat landscape.
Al Mannai noted that the theme of this year’s drill reflects current geopolitical conditions where digital threats are increasingly intertwined with conflicts over interests and influence. Cyberattacks are now executed by organized, well-funded groups that can infiltrate systems and remain undetected for extended periods. This situation necessitates a new security approach, focusing on preparedness and awareness to tackle the challenges posed by a complex cyber environment.
The drill is built on advanced technical scenarios aimed at testing institutions’ response capabilities to cyberattacks. It assesses their compliance with frameworks such as the Data Privacy Protection Law, Cyber Incident Management Framework, Data Classification Policy, and the Institutional Framework for Cyber Crisis Management. Al Mannai highlighted that these policies are integrated into the simulation environment, reflecting real-world compliance needs during cyber crises. This underscores Qatar’s commitment to protecting its digital infrastructure and enhancing resilience amidst growing cyber threats.
This year, over 160 domestic organizations from more than ten key sectors, including finance, energy, government services, and communications, are participating in the drill. This indicates a growing awareness of the drill’s importance as a benchmark for improving capabilities. Al Mannai mentioned that this edition marks an unprecedented regional expansion with Qatar hosting the first joint Arab cybersecurity exercise under the initiatives of the Council of Arab Cybersecurity Ministers within the Arab League framework. This strategic move aims to strengthen joint Arab cybersecurity efforts.
Al Mannai also highlighted that this year’s Arab scenario is specifically designed to account for the official cyber institutions’ systems in each state, addressing cross-border threats targeting the region’s digital infrastructure. The cyber drill serves as a practical tool for assessing institutional cybersecurity awareness, revealing readiness gaps, especially during transitions like cloud computing adoption, which prompted NCSA to develop relevant regulatory policies.
The drill is structured into three main activities: national authorities, institutions, and service providers; the inaugural Arab Joint Cyber Drill hosted by Qatar; and the Capture the Flag competition for university students. This competition aims to enhance their technical skills and link them to the realities of the cyber labor market through offensive and defensive challenges that simulate real digital security environments.
Preparations for the drill begin roughly two weeks in advance with orientation workshops organized by NCSA. These workshops provide participants with a comprehensive overview of the drill environment and scenarios, ensuring proactive engagement and maximizing the benefits of the exercise.
Al Mannai noted that the agency has urged participating entities to include multidisciplinary teams in the drill, encompassing cybersecurity, risk management, human resources, and other relevant divisions, to promote an integrated institutional response. The drill has become a reference point for national authorities and institutions, testing operational readiness and offering a unique opportunity to identify organizational and technical vulnerabilities before they escalate into crises.
The widespread participation in this year’s drill reflects the confidence it has garnered as a strategic tool at both national and regional levels, integrating technical, organizational, and human dimensions. This contributes to elevating national cybersecurity awareness.
Finally, Al Mannai stressed the significance of cybersecurity as a broad institutional responsibility. Through annual drills, NCSA aims to enhance the efficiency of national entities, identify vulnerabilities, and strengthen defenses. NCSA also evaluates the performance of all participants, analyzes results, and provides essential support to advance the national cybersecurity system.