On January 16th, 2026, a dedicated event on cybersecurity for Operational Technology (OT) in the oil and gas sector was held in Erbil, bringing together key stakeholders from across Iraq’s energy landscape.
The event was organized in collaboration with Fortinet, the National Cybersecurity Center, and the National Security Agency (NSA), with participation from national and international operators, technology leaders, and experts representing the full oil and gas value chain—from upstream production to downstream operations.
Strengthening the Security of Critical Energy Infrastructure
Iraq’s oil and gas sector remains central to the country’s economic stability and growth. As digital technologies continue to be integrated into industrial operations, securing OT environments has become increasingly important.
During the keynote address, the Iraq National Cybersecurity Center emphasized the critical role of OT infrastructure in sustaining production and protecting national assets. The discussion highlighted the need for stronger cybersecurity measures to safeguard industrial systems that underpin the country’s energy output.
Driving Collaboration Across the Ecosystem
A key theme throughout the event was the importance of collaboration between public institutions, operators, and technology providers.
The gathering provided a platform for:
- Aligning on shared cybersecurity challenges across the sector
- Exchanging practical experiences and lessons learned
- Exploring scalable approaches to strengthening OT security
This level of coordination is essential in addressing increasingly complex cyber threats targeting industrial environments.
Insights from Industry and Technology Leaders
The event featured contributions from regional and global experts, sharing both strategic perspectives and technical insights.
Sessions covered:
- Global best practices in OT cybersecurity and program development
- Practical approaches to implementing layered security across industrial networks
- Technical considerations for monitoring, detection, and response in OT environments
A technical deep dive provided further clarity on how to translate strategy into implementation, focusing on solutions that are effective while remaining non-intrusive to operations.
From Awareness to Action
Discussions during the event reinforced the need to move beyond awareness toward execution. Strengthening OT cybersecurity requires:
- Improved visibility across industrial assets and networks
- Risk-based prioritization of critical systems
- Deployment of solutions tailored to operational environments
- Ongoing capability development within organizations
Real-world experiences shared by participants highlighted the importance of adopting approaches that are both practical and sustainable.
Engagement and Knowledge Exchange
The event concluded with an interactive discussion session involving representatives from the National Security Agency, the National Cybersecurity Center, and industry participants.
This exchange of perspectives—supported by contributions from operators within Iraq’s energy sector—provided valuable insight into current challenges and opportunities for advancing OT cybersecurity practices.
Looking Ahead
As Iraq continues to modernize its energy infrastructure, strengthening OT cybersecurity will remain a key priority in ensuring operational resilience, safety, and continuity.
Collaborative initiatives that bring together government, industry, and technology expertise represent an important step toward building a secure and future-ready oil and gas sector.
