NCST signs cooperation agreement with UK-based CREST to advance cybersecurity education and training

The Nasser Centre for Science and Technology (NCST) has signed a cooperation agreement with CREST, a UK-based global non-profit accreditation body specialising in cybersecurity.

The agreement was signed by Dr. Abdulla bin Nasser Al Nuaimi, Chief Executive Officer of the NCST, and Sebastian Madden, Chief Product Officer at CREST, during a ceremony held on the sidelines of the Arab International Cybersecurity Conference and Exhibition (AICS 2025).

Held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the conference is hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain and brings together experts, specialists, and decision-makers in cybersecurity and digital transformation.

Under the agreement, the NCST becomes a regional provider of CREST’s internationally accredited training programmes, aimed at enhancing cybersecurity capabilities for individuals and organisations. The initiative will benefit students and professionals in the technology sector, helping to develop qualified national talent equipped to meet the demands of the fast-evolving digital landscape. It also supports the National Cybersecurity Strategy and the objectives of Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030 for safe and sustainable digital transformation.

Dr. Al Nuaimi said that the partnership reflects the centre’s efforts to strengthen international cooperation in technical education and training and to work with leading global institutions in digital skills development. He noted that the NCST seeks to establish an integrated education and training ecosystem aligned with international standards while meeting local and regional labour market needs in cybersecurity and digital protection.

Sebastian Madden expressed his appreciation for the partnership, saying that CREST looks forward to working with the NCST, one of the region’s leading institutions in technical education, to advance cybersecurity learning and training in Bahrain. He added that the collaboration will help prepare a new generation of professionals in this critical field.

The agreement marks another step in the NCST’s efforts to expand its international partnerships in science and technology and to reinforce the Kingdom of Bahrain’s position as a regional hub for developing national talent and strengthening cybersecurity expertise.