Amman, July 21 (Petra) – The Jordan Industrial Operating Systems
Security Forum 2026 opened Tuesday under the patronage of the
National Cybersecurity Center and the Energy and Minerals Regulatory
Commission, bringing together policymakers, regulators and industry
experts to strengthen cybersecurity across the Kingdom’s critical
infrastructure.

Organized by cybersecurity services provider Security Management
Technology Group (SMT), the forum focused on enhancing the resilience
of industrial operating systems, particularly in the energy sector,
amid evolving cyber threats and accelerating digital transformation.

Speaking at the opening session, National Cybersecurity Center
Chairperson Mohammad Samadi said rapid technological advances have
been accompanied by increasingly sophisticated cyber threats
affecting sectors that provide essential public services.

He noted that while the energy sector remains a cornerstone of the
Kingdom’s critical infrastructure, other strategic sectors also
require stronger cyber resilience and preparedness.

Samadi described cybersecurity as an integral component of Jordan’s
comprehensive national security framework, alongside border, food,
political and societal security.

He said the center considers cooperation with the energy sector a
strategic priority and is working to build effective partnerships
with all relevant institutions based on their respective
responsibilities.

He added that a comprehensive cybersecurity ecosystem rests on three
key pillars: skilled human resources, effective policies and advanced
technology. The center, he said, is developing these pillars through
specialized capacity-building programs, technical support and
advisory services aimed at strengthening cyber resilience and
ensuring service continuity across vital sectors.

Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission Chairperson Ziad Sa’aydeh
said industrial operating systems have become the backbone of
electricity, gas and energy services, making their cybersecurity a
fundamental element of both energy security and national security.

He said digital transformation has fundamentally changed the nature
of threats facing critical infrastructure, requiring an integrated
approach that combines legislation, governance, risk management,
capacity building, incident response and institutional cooperation.

Sa’aydeh said the commission continues to work closely with the
National Cybersecurity Center and other stakeholders to translate the
objectives of the National Cybersecurity Strategy into clear
regulatory requirements and effective oversight mechanisms that
strengthen the resilience of the energy sector against evolving cyber
risks.

He added that the commission seeks to embed cybersecurity into
institutional decision-making, risk management and business
continuity planning, helping enhance investor confidence, maintain
reliable services and safeguard the Kingdom’s energy security.

SMT Group Chief Executive Officer Samir Abu Tahoun said cybersecurity
has evolved from a strategic concern into a culture that must be
embraced across institutions, stressing that it is a shared
responsibility rather than solely a technical function.

He emphasized that public-private partnerships are essential to
strengthening critical sectors, particularly the energy sector, saing
that effective implementation of national cybersecurity strategies,
coupled with closer cooperation among government entities, critical
infrastructure operators and the private sector, can help make
cybersecurity an integral part of daily operations.

The forum featured a panel discussion on building an operational
security framework in Jordan, examining the transition from national
policy to sector readiness.

Participants also discussed protecting critical national
infrastructure, implementing cybersecurity strategies across energy
infrastructure, strengthening the security of Jordan’s energy sector
through integrated approaches to people, technology and policy, and
addressing technical challenges and practical solutions.

The event brought together decision-makers, regulators, cybersecurity
specialists and representatives from the energy, industrial and
critical infrastructure sectors to discuss national cybersecurity
priorities, emerging policies and best practices for protecting
industrial operating systems and strengthening the resilience of
Jordan’s critical infrastructure.

//Petra// AJ