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Doha, Qatar: The National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) announced yesterday that Qatar Navigation (Milaha) successfully completed its compliance roadmap for the National Information Assurance (NIA) Standard, marking a significant milestone in strengthening cybersecurity practices across one of the country’s most critical sectors.
In a post on X, the NCSA stated that Milaha, the national entity responsible for providing comprehensive maritime and logistics services, has not only renewed its existing NIA certification but also expanded the scope of compliance to cover the entire organisation. Milaha had previously been certified under the NIA framework for specific operations, making the latest achievement a major step toward enterprise-wide cybersecurity assurance.
The NCSA highlighted that adherence to the NIA Standard plays a crucial role in safeguarding national information assets and reinforcing Qatar’s overall cybersecurity posture, particularly across strategic and critical infrastructure sectors.
Developed as a cornerstone of Qatar’s national cybersecurity framework, the NIA Standard sets mandatory requirements for government entities and organisations operating in key areas. It focuses on ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information systems, while mitigating cyber risks through governance, risk management, and technical controls.
Milaha’s expanded certification reflects growing awareness within the maritime and logistics sector of the increasing cyber threats targeting supply chains, ports, and transportation networks.
As a vital player in regional and international trade, the company’s full compliance with the NIA Standard is seen as strengthening resilience against potential cyber disruptions that could impact national and economic security.
The NCSA noted that compliance with the NIA framework supports a unified national approach to cybersecurity, helping organisations align their internal policies and systems with Qatar’s broader digital security objectives.
The agency underscored that widespread adoption of the standard will enhance trust, operational continuity, and resilience across interconnected sectors.
The NCSA expressed its expectation that more government entities and organisations within critical sectors will pursue NIA certification, contributing to a stronger and more cohesive national cyber defence ecosystem.
Qatar has intensified efforts in recent years to bolster cybersecurity governance as digital transformation accelerates across industries.
Initiatives such as the NIA Standard form part of a broader strategy to protect critical infrastructure, support secure digital services, and ensure confidence in the country’s rapidly expanding digital economy.
The agency stated: “NCSA looks forward to other government entities and organisations within critical sectors obtaining the National Information Assurance Certification, which will fundamentally enhance and contribute to raising the level of cyber resilience across the nation.”
Milaha’s achievement is expected to serve as a benchmark for other entities, reinforcing the role of robust cybersecurity frameworks in protecting national interests and sustaining long-term economic growth.
Earlier, NCSA also announced that Sidra Medicine has become the first healthcare institution to successfully complete the initial phase of its compliance roadmap under the National NIA Standard. The certification covers 123 critical services across 12 core business departments, with priority given to functions identified as having the highest concentration of cyber risk.
