Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources announced on May 6, 2025 the completion of its first accredited training program for Security Operations Center (SOC) professionals, marking a key step in enhancing cybersecurity across the country’s energy sector.

The program was fully sponsored by the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (MoPMR), hosted by the Engineering for the Petroleum and Process Industries (ENPPI), and organized by CYSHIELD Digital Innovation and Cybersecurity Solutions. It reflects the national trend towards improving cybersecurity in the petroleum and mineral resources sector by linking industrial expertise with governmental priorities to establish a solid foundation for effective and sustainable cyber resilience.

Khaled Salah, Assistant Minister for Information Systems and Digital Transformation and Head of the Sectoral Cybersecurity Committee, pointed out that the petroleum sector’s security operation centers are currently being connected to the National Cybersecurity Center to ensure coordinated protection and unified efforts. He stated that cybersecurity is no longer a matter that concerns IT departments alone, but rather an integral part of the identity of modern institutions.

Ahmed Randi, Head of the Central Administration for Communications at the Ministry, emphasized the importance of raising cybersecurity readiness adding that polishing professionals’ skills is crucial for the work system in the petroleum sector.

The certificate awarding ceremony for the training program was held in the presence of ENPPI Chairman, Wael Lotfy, who inaugurated the event.

Cybersecurity is crucial for oil and gas companies, safeguarding the continuous operation of their infrastructure by preventing unauthorized access, data breaches, and malicious attacks. This protection is vital given the vast quantities of sensitive data they handle, including intellectual property, exploration details, financial records, and customer information.