Lebanon Embraces Cyber Security and Digital Forensics with Master’s Degree Programs

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In an effort to enhance its cybersecurity capabilities, Lebanon has been actively collaborating with international organizations and ICT-advanced countries in the field of cyber security. The country is also developing a digital transformation strategy at the state level, under the supervision of OMSAR.

Strengthening Cyber Security Capabilities

Recently, the Ministry of Justice trained around 20 judges on how to deal with cyber criminality as part of the CyberSouth project organized by the Council of Europe. However, experts believe that more needs to be done to address the issue on a higher level.

The Ministry of Telecommunications has been playing a crucial role in deploying an effective infrastructure in collaboration with private operators and OGERO.
It has also established coordinating efforts with ITU to improve Lebanon’s cyber security index.

Banque du Liban Leads the Way in Cyber Security

Banque du Liban (BDL) has developed and implemented a mature, standard-based, advanced, and innovative cyber security program that enables it to anticipate and defeat cyber attacks. The program consists of two main pillars:

Security Governance and Compliance: BDL’s program ensures compliance with international standards and regulations.
Defense-in-Depth Security Approach: This approach involves multiple layers of defense to prevent and detect cyber threats.

Threats to Lebanon’s Cyber Security

Malicious cyber activities are designed to compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of networks, IT systems, and information. These threats can be classified into four main categories:

Cyber-Dependent Crimes: Hacking, malware, DDoS attacks, ransomware, blackmailing, and other types of cyber attacks.
Cyber-Enabled Crimes: Using computers to commit traditional crimes such as fraud, data theft, espionage, robberies, extortion, propaganda, or destruction.
State-Sponsored Threats: Aiming to gain political, diplomatic, military, technological, commercial, financial, and strategic advantage by penetrating public or private networks or sensitive files on cloud networks.
Terrorist Threats: Using the internet for publicity, recruitment, fundraising, secure networking, remote training, planning, and coordination.

Master’s Degree Programs in Cyber Security and Digital Forensics

In response to the growing need for cyber security experts, several universities in Lebanon are now offering Master’s degree programs in Cyber Security and Digital Forensics. These programs aim to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to:

Protect against cyber threats
Investigate digital crimes

By investing in cyber security education, Lebanon can build a strong foundation for its economic growth and development in the digital age.