Author: Ahmed Al Shuaili

Muscat, 23 April 2025– Oman Data Park (ODP), the Sultanate’s leading provider of managed IT services and cloud solutions, has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with strategic technology partners to accelerate the development and deployment of innovative AI solutions across Oman’s key industries. This transformative collaboration will impact sectors including Telecom, Travel, Tourism, Banking and Financial Services (BFSI), Logistics, and Hospitality, aligned with the nation’s digital transformation agenda and Vision 2040.

At the heart of this partnership is a shared ambition to co-develop scalable, sector-specific AI solutions tailored to Oman’s regulatory and operational environment. The initiative will leverage ODP’s sovereign cloud infrastructure, ensuring data residency, regulatory compliance, and scalable deployment within a secure and robust digital ecosystem. This foundational capability supports the broader goal of localizing emerging technologies to address the unique challenges and opportunities within the Sultanate.

Commenting on the collaboration, Eng. Maqbool Al Wahaibi, CEO of Oman Data Park, stated, “This agreement represents a pivotal milestone in Oman’s journey toward becoming a digitally empowered, AI-ready nation. By fusing world-class AI capabilities with our sovereign cloud infrastructure, we are enabling localized, secure, and scalable solutions that truly cater to the evolving needs of Oman’s vital industries. More than just a technology initiative, this partnership reflects our commitment to nurturing Omani talent, promoting innovation, and supporting the ambitions of Oman Vision 2040. Together with our partners, we are laying the groundwork for a smarter, more resilient digital future for the Sultanate.”

CP Gurnani, Co-founder and CEO, AIonOS, added: “This partnership with Oman Data Park represents more than just a strategic alliance—it’s a shared mission to bring AI from the drawing board into real-world impact across Oman’s key sectors. At AIonOS, we have always believed that AI is most powerful when it’s human-centred, localized, and aligned with national priorities. By co-developing AI solutions tailored to Oman’s regulatory landscape and leveraging ODP’s sovereign cloud, we are ensuring that innovation respects compliance, security, and cultural context. The road ahead is exciting, and we are committed to walking it side by side with ODP and the people of Oman”.

The agreement also focuses on the development of practical, vertical-specific AI use cases by combining technical innovation with ODP’s end-to-end managed services. This synergy is expected to unlock new opportunities in automation, predictive analytics, and operational efficiency—delivering measurable value to enterprises and public institutions alike. A joint go-to-market strategy will drive the commercial deployment of these solutions, broadening access and accelerating client adoption across Oman.

Aligned with the national vision, the collaboration also emphasizes talent development, knowledge sharing, and the upskilling of local professionals. Through training programs, innovation labs, and collaborative learning platforms, the partners aim to cultivate a thriving ecosystem of Omani AI expertise. Simultaneously, the partnership outlines a roadmap for continuous innovation, keeping pace with advancements in large language models (LLMs), predictive analytics, and intelligent automation—reinforcing Oman’s role as a regional hub for AI-driven transformation.

Such strategic alliance reaffirms Oman Data Park’s commitment to shaping the future of AI in the Sultanate and underscores its position as a key enabler of a knowledge-based economy driven by innovation, technology, and local talent.

Oman Data Park (ODP), a leading provider of managed IT and cybersecurity services in the Sultanate, acted as the exclusive sponsor of Oman’s first-ever edition of the premier cybersecurity event, Flag the Hack 2025, held on 17 February at the Mandarin Oriental, Muscat. Conducted by Fortinet, this landmark event brought together eminent industry leaders and seasoned security professionals to address real-world cybersecurity challenges through innovative competitions, dynamic knowledge-sharing, and collaborative learning.

Flag the Hack has earned a distinguished reputation as a pivotal platform for fostering expert-led discussions, hands-on technical engagement, and the development of advanced competencies necessary to address the shifting cyber threat landscape. By championing such initiatives, ODP reinforces its position as a leader in driving technological innovation and equipping businesses and individuals to navigate the challenges of an increasingly interconnected digital world.

Eng. Maqbool Al Wahaibi, CEO of Oman Data Park, underscored the significance of the event, stating, “Cybersecurity is no longer a specialized concern; it is a universal imperative for governments, businesses, and individuals. Flag the Hack serves as a vital conduit for promoting a culture of readiness and innovation in addressing emerging cyber threats. By supporting transformative events like these, we aim to cultivate a society that is not only vigilant but also well-prepared to counter sophisticated security challenges. These initiatives bridge the divide between theoretical knowledge and practical application, providing participants with actionable insights and critical skills to tackle real-world scenarios. In a digital age defined by rapid transformation, fostering resilience and maintaining a secure cyber environment are crucial. Moreover, such events align with our mission to fortify the nation’s digital infrastructure and nurture a forward-looking cybersecurity ecosystem.”

The agenda also featured a series of compelling sessions, including Fortinet’s SecOps strategy briefing and an in-depth presentation from FortiGuard Labs on navigating the ever-changing cyber threat landscape. These expert discussions delved into pressing topics such as current threats and vulnerabilities, the tactics of nation-state and non-state actors, emerging technologies, common attack vectors, and defensive strategies. Participants gained actionable insights into incident response best practices and effective approaches to fortify organizational defenses. The event culminated in the ‘Flag the Hack’ challenge, which combined strategic decision-making with hands-on activities, including elements such as ‘purple team exercises.’ These exercises allowed participants to navigate realistic scenarios, honing their investigative and forensic skills while fostering innovative problem-solving approaches. By working in diverse, randomly

assigned teams, attendees gained fresh perspectives and enhanced collaboration, mirroring the multifaceted challenges faced by organizations in today’s cybersecurity landscape.

ODP’s active involvement in the event further emphasized its unwavering commitment to cultivating a culture of cooperation and knowledge-sharing within Oman’s IT and cybersecurity sectors. By facilitating engagement with industry leaders and providing access to advanced tools and methodologies, ODP continues to drive technological innovation. Through initiatives like these, the company reaffirms its dedication to enhancing resilience, forging strategic partnerships, exchanging transformative ideas, and advocating for a secure and progressive digital future for Oman.

Muscat. April 21– In a strategic move that underscores Oman’s commitment to technological advancement and human capital development, Oman Data Park (ODP) has entered into a landmark Teaming Agreement with Elevatus, a globally recognized leader in AI-driven recruitment solutions, and the Omani Society for Human Resources Management (OSHRM). This three-way collaboration brings together unmatched technological capability, human resource expertise, and deep-rooted market insight to offer a groundbreaking HR and recruitment ecosystem designed specifically for Oman’s public and private sector needs. 

This partnership marks a pivotal step in accelerating Oman’s transition toward smart governance and digital transformation in line with Oman Vision 2040. By integrating Elevatus’ AI-powered recruitment and assessment tools with OSHRM’s trusted HR network and Oman Data Park’s secure, locally hosted cloud infrastructure, the alliance offers a comprehensive solution for end-to-end HR digitization. The platform empowers organizations to transform their traditional HR processes by automating and streamlining everything from talent acquisition and onboarding to assessments and performance management. Crucially, all services are delivered through secure Omani data centers, ensuring full compliance with national data regulations and enhancing trust among users. 

Maqbool Al Wahaibi, CEO of Oman Data Park, stated, “At Oman Data Park, we believe in developing digital solutions that directly contribute to national progress. This collaboration is a prime example of that philosophy in action. By merging cutting-edge technology with deep HR expertise and hosting it all within our secure, local cloud environment, we are not just improving business processes—we are shaping the future of how organizations in Oman attract, engage, and retain talent. This is about building smarter institutions that can support the nation’s long-term goals.” 

This initiative represents a strategic effort to enhance the efficiency and responsiveness of HR operations across sectors, while creating a more agile, insight-driven approach to workforce management. It comes at a time when organizations across Oman are actively seeking smarter, faster, and more reliable ways to recruit and retain talent—an imperative as the country positions itself as a hub of innovation and economic competitiveness in the region. 

For OSHRM, the agreement further strengthens its position as a catalyst for progressive HR practices in Oman, while Elevatus brings global intelligence to local enterprises, ensuring that companies in Oman are equipped with the tools to compete on a world stage. 

With this agreement, Oman Data Park reaffirms its role as a national enabler, delivering world-class digital services tailored to the Sultanate’s unique regulatory and cultural environment. Together with Elevatus and OSHRM, the company is laying the foundation for a new chapter in Oman’s workforce evolution—one that is further intelligent, integrated, and aligned with the aspirations of a modern, knowledge-based economy. 

Oman Data Park (ODP) is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Elevatus, a global leader in smart recruitment technology, to modernize and enhance its talent acquisition capabilities.

As part of ODP’s continued efforts to strengthen its internal environment and uphold its commitment to service excellence, this collaboration brings advanced tools that will streamline how we attract, assess, and hire talent. The goal is clear: to build a more agile, skilled, and responsive team that can continue delivering world-class digital solutions to our clients.

Through this new platform, ODP will benefit from:

• A modern and fully branded career portal that reflects ODP’s identity and values
• Smart, AI-powered tools to help identify and match the right candidates to the right roles
• Faster, more transparent hiring processes with video assessments and digital interviews
• Secure, locally hosted systems in ODP’s own cloud infrastructure—ensuring full compliance with Oman’s data protection standards

This step is a testament to ODP’s belief that investing in people is key to long-term growth and innovation. By simplifying the hiring process and ensuring the best-fit talent joins our teams, ODP is laying stronger foundations for future success.

“Our clients trust us to deliver reliable and forward-looking digital services. To maintain that trust, we are committed to continuously improving from within. Elevatus brings smart technology to support this vision,” said an ODP spokesperson.

ODP will continue to invest in solutions that enhance both internal operations and customer experiences, as part of its mission to be Oman’s leading trusted digital infrastructure provider.

Muscat: This strategic enhancement, announced via a signing ceremony at MWC in Barcelona, will aim to significantly reduce Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) and Mean Time to Respond (MTTR) while bolstering security measures with advanced deception technology and digital risk protection (DRP).

In an era where cyber threats are increasingly sophisticated, Oman Data Park recognizes the importance of leveraging cutting-edge solutions to safeguard sensitive data and maintain operational integrity. The integration of Fortinet’s SecOps platform will empower the SOC to proactively identify and respond to security incidents, aiming to ensure a fortified defense against potential breaches.

Key benefits of the optimization:

Reduced MTTD and MTTR: The AI-driven capabilities of Fortinet’s SecOps platform will enable rapid detection and response to threats, minimizing downtime and enhancing overall operational efficiency.

Enhanced Security with Deception Technology: By implementing deception strategies, Oman Data Park can create a more robust security posture, actively misleading attackers and reducing their chances of success.

Streamlined Operations: Automation and orchestration features will facilitate seamless workflows within the SOC, allowing security teams to focus on critical threats and strategic initiatives.

“By optimizing our Security Operations Center with Fortinet’s advanced solutions, we are taking a significant step forward in our commitment to protecting our clients’ data and maintaining the highest standards of security,” said Maqbool Al Wahaibi, CEO at Oman Data Park.

“The integration of AI-driven capabilities and deception technology will not only enhance our security measures but also improve our operational efficiency, which will reflect on the quality of the managed services we offer to our customers.”

Alain Panel, VP of Middle East, Turkey & CIS at Fortinet, stated, “We are pleased to be partnering with Oman Data Park to enhance their Security Operations Center. The deployment of our AI-driven SecOps platform demonstrates a proactive approach to cybersecurity, and will enable ODP to effectively combat threats and protect their clients’ data. This initiative highlights our commitment to empowering MSSPs in the region with the tools necessary for a resilient security posture.”

Fortinet’s AI-powered SecOps platform is designed to provide organizations with the tools needed to address the evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats. This collaboration showcases Oman Data Park’s dedication to innovation and its proactive approach to safeguarding the digital landscape of Oman.

Muscat: Oman Data Park (ODP), the Sultanate’s premier provider of managed cybersecurity and cloud solutions, announced the signing of three strategic Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) at an exclusive Suhoor event. The agreements, signed with First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), Oman National Energy Investment Company (ONIEC), and NTG, mark a significant step toward advancing Oman’s digital transformation across the banking, energy, and cloud services sectors.

Commenting on these landmark agreements, Eng. Maqbool Al Wahaibi, CEO of ODP, stated, “These partnerships reflect ODP’s unwavering commitment to empowering organizations with secure, scalable, and cutting-edge cloud solutions. Whether in banking, energy, or enterprise technology, our mission is to equip businesses with the digital infrastructure they need to operate seamlessly and innovate confidently. By continuously investing in next-generation technologies and fostering strategic alliances, ODP is shaping a more resilient, efficient, and technology-driven future for Oman.”

As part of its commitment to ensuring business continuity in the financial sector, ODP has signed an MOU with First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) to establish a state-of-the-art Disaster Recovery (DR) site at ODP’s highly secure Tier 3 data center. This partnership ensures that FAB’s critical data and systems remain protected against potential disruptions, reinforcing the bank’s ability to maintain seamless operations under all circumstances. Beyond the DR site, ODP is also developing a comprehensive Business Continuity Plan (BCP) Centre for FAB, allowing the bank to quickly transition its operations in case of an unexpected crisis. This initiative strengthens operational resilience, enabling FAB to maintain service uptime and regulatory compliance while ensuring uninterrupted financial services for its customers.

In line with Oman’s national sustainability goals, ODP has entered a strategic collaboration with Oman National Engineering and Investment Company (ONEIC) to host a smart metering solution on its advanced cloud platform. This national-level project aims to revolutionize energy consumption monitoring across Oman by enabling real-time remote management of energy usage. By leveraging ODP’s secure and scalable cloud technology, ONEIC will gain advanced capabilities in energy monitoring and data analytics, driving enhanced efficiency and sustainability in power consumption. This initiative marks a significant step in modernizing Oman’s energy infrastructure and supports the country’s vision for a smarter, greener future.

Further strengthening its role as a digital enabler, ODP has signed an MOU with NTG to formalize a Reseller Agreement for Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) products. Through

this partnership, NTG will serve as a front for ODP, offering OCI solutions directly to businesses across Oman. By expanding access to world-class cloud computing services, this collaboration will accelerate cloud adoption and digital transformation across various industries, empowering organizations with cutting-edge cloud capabilities. The initiative aligns with Oman’s broader efforts to enhance digital infrastructure and boost business agility in an increasingly tech-driven economy.

With these strategic MOUs, Oman Data Park continues to reinforce its position as a key driver of digital transformation in the Sultanate. By delivering resilient, scalable, and secure solutions across banking, energy, and enterprise cloud services, ODP is paving the way for a more connected and innovative Oman. As the country moves toward a future powered by advanced digital solutions, ODP remains committed to supporting businesses with future-ready technology, strategic partnerships, and best-in-class cybersecurity measures, ensuring long-term sustainability and growth for Oman’s digital economy.

Muscat. January 29. In a significant move to fortify Oman’s cybersecurity landscape, Tawasol Integrated Telecom and Oman Data Park (ODP) have entered into a strategic agreement to deliver Trend Vision One SPC (V1SPC), a cutting-edge cybersecurity solution equipped with advanced features, including extended detection and response (XDR). The signing and launch ceremony took place at the Mandarin Oriental, Muscat. This landmark event celebrated a pivotal milestone in Oman’s digital transformation journey, bringing together key industry leaders to share compelling case studies, success stories, and forward-thinking insights. With engaging speeches from representatives of Tawasol, ODP, and Trend Micro, the gathering served as a vital networking platform for fostering collaboration and driving innovation within Oman’s expanding cybersecurity ecosystem.

Commenting on the partnership, Mohammed Hassan at Tawasol stated, “In alignment with Oman Vision 2040, this initiative underscores our unwavering commitment to driving digital transformation and strengthening the nation’s technological infrastructure. Through strategic partnerships and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, ODP is empowering organizations to enhance their security maturity while effectively navigating the complexities of the digital landscape. By Tawasol’s investment and integration of advanced cyber threat intelligence proposed by Trend Micro, we are improving the sophistication, efficiency, and consistency of security strategies. This collaboration not only accelerates threat detection and response capabilities but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement and resilience, reinforcing the nation’s ability to counter even the most advanced and complex cyber threats.”

Eng. Maqbool Al Wahaibi, CEO of Oman Data Park, remarked, “At Oman Data Park, our mission has always been to play a pivotal role in advancing Oman’s technological landscape by aligning the latest innovations with the nation’s strategic priorities. The launch of V1SPC is a testament to the power of collective expertise and a shared vision for safeguarding Oman’s digital future. By addressing key challenges, this initiative enables organizations to operate with confidence in an increasingly complex digital landscape. Together with Tawasol and our valued partners, we are not just mitigating risks but building a robust ecosystem that empowers businesses, strengthens national digital capacities, and sets new benchmarks for security excellence.”

The partnership unites key players in the technology and cybersecurity ecosystem, each contributing unique strengths. Tawasol Integrated Telecom, as the investor and system integrator, brings its expertise to ensure the seamless deployment of the XDR solution. Tawasol aims to contribute to Oman’s 2040 vision by actively participating in the development of a digital economy and fostering a resilient digitalized environment in Oman.While Trend Micro provides the technological backbone with its AI-powered threat detection and response capabilities. ODP offers its world-class private cloud data center infrastructure, serving as the foundation of the initiative. Redington, as the distributor, plays a critical role in expanding the solution’s reach across Oman, amplifying its impact nationwide.

ODP plays a pivotal part in ensuring the reliability, security, and high-performance requirements of the platform through its Tier 3-certified data centers, which offer a guaranteed 99.982% uptime, multiple layers of redundancy, and robust disaster recovery capabilities. These state-of-the-art facilities, designed to meet global standards, provide organizations with the confidence to operate securely while ensuring sensitive data remains within Oman.

Leveraging this infrastructure, Trend Vision One SPC offers a transformative cybersecurity solution that tackles data sovereignty challenges by ensuring full compliance with Oman’s data regulations, particularly around data residency.
Through these impactful initiatives, Tawasol and ODP are not only tackling immediate challenges but also laying the groundwork for a more resilient and future-ready cybersecurity ecosystem. As the digital landscape evolves, they will continue to play their role in contributing to the nation’s technological growth, ensuring robust security measures, and supporting sustainable digital innovation.