The National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) launched the Cybersecurity Exercise Hajj program on May 3, 2026, designed to strengthen the readiness of national entities and develop specialist skills ahead of the 1447 AH Hajj season. The two-day drill, held in Jeddah Governorate, brings together more than 300 national entities represented by over 1,000 officials and cybersecurity specialists to test response mechanisms and enhance cyber resilience across critical systems.
The Cybersecurity Exercise Hajj initiative represents a comprehensive effort to prepare Saudi Arabia’s critical infrastructure for the significant cyber threats that accompany large-scale events. By simulating real-world cyberattack scenarios, the exercise enables participating organizations to evaluate their incident response procedures and identify potential vulnerabilities in their security posture.
The participation of over 1,000 cybersecurity professionals from more than 300 national entities demonstrates the scale and coordinated nature of the preparation efforts. These specialists work across various sectors to ensure that critical systems protecting Hajj operations maintain operational continuity under threat conditions.
The two-day format of the Cybersecurity Exercise Hajj allows for intensive testing of security protocols and response mechanisms. Organizations use the drill to practice detection, analysis, and containment procedures for simulated cyberattacks, strengthening their ability to respond to actual security incidents.
The National Cybersecurity Authority’s decision to conduct this exercise before the 1447 AH Hajj season reflects the importance placed on cyber resilience for critical infrastructure. The initiative provides national entities with an opportunity to validate their security strategies and improve coordination between different organizations involved in Hajj security operations.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
