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