U.S. Chamber of Commerce launches cyber working group with Gulf countries

A coalition of worldwide business groups recently met at a cybersecurity conference in Dubai to focus on facilitating a sustained dialogue between American companies and those in the Arabian Gulf.

During the meeting, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the American Business Council of Dubai and the Northern Emirates, and Dubai Internet City launched a U.S.-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Cyber Working Group to improve network security and to explore the benefits of cooperation in that sector.

“Businesses across the globe face multiple, simultaneous cybersecurity challenges from nation state actors, as well as militants, criminal groups and hacktivists,” Ann Beauchesne, senior vice president for national security and emergency preparedness at the U.S. Chamber, said. “We are excited to launch the US-GCC Cyber Working Group because we believe that through greater public-private collaboration and communication regarding cybersecurity threats and best practices, we can better ensure the economic security of all countries involved.”

The groups discussed a variety of topics related to advancing business interests between the nations, including congressional gridlock, appropriate roles of government entities in private-public partnerships, the lack of information sharing between threats between government and industry, cyberattacks against U.S. businesses due to a lack of credible deterrence, misalignment of international cyber regimes, and the demand for cybersecurity personnel outstripping supply.