Under the esteemed patronage and attendance of Dr. Hamed Sulaiman Al-Furaih, Assistant Vice President for Academic Support Services, Community Service, and Libraries, the Community Service and Continuing Education Center at Kuwait University hosted a pivotal workshop titled “Mitigating Human Risk in Military Cyber Defense” on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at Sabah Al-Salem University City. Organized specifically for personnel from the Kuwait Ministry of Defense (MoD), the workshop, officially named “Mitigating Human Risk in Military Cyber Defense,” was led by Eng. Laith Al-Khalaf, Chief Technology Officer at Afnan International holding company and Cybersecurity Team Leader at AmanTec. The event was also attended by Ms. Itimad Abdulrahman Al-Kandari, Acting Director of the Community Service and Continuing Education Center.

Amid evolving geopolitical dynamics and rapid digital transformation, Kuwait’s defense sector faces escalating cyber risks, with threats like phishing, ransomware, and AI-driven attacks targeting critical military infrastructure. The workshop was designed to enhance cybersecurity awareness among approximately 200 MoD personnel, equipping them with practical tools to identify, mitigate, and prevent cyber threats while fostering a robust cybersecurity culture to minimize risks stemming from human error.

Eng. Laith Al-Khalaf, who presented the workshop, stated, “The convergence of geopolitical tensions and digital transformation has made Kuwait’s defense sector a prime target for sophisticated cyberattacks. Our session empowered MoD personnel to become the first line of defense by addressing human risk factors, such as social engineering and insider threats. Through hands-on activities like phishing simulations, we aimed to strengthen the resilience of Kuwait’s military infrastructure and promote a security-first mindset.”

Dr. Hamed Sulaiman Al-Furaih highlighted the university’s commitment to community service, noting, “This workshop is the second in a series of cybersecurity seminars, following our cyber awareness session two weeks ago. Targeting around 200 MoD personnel, these efforts align with Kuwait University’s mission to address current challenges. We are also preparing advanced training courses, ranging from one to two weeks, and developing a comprehensive six-month to one-year program to further enhance cybersecurity capabilities.”

Ms. Itimad Abdulrahman Al-Kandari, Acting Director of the Community Service and Continuing Education Center, added, “Today’s workshop, which began at 9:00 AM, focused on the critical role of cybersecurity and the human element in protecting military facilities. We are grateful to Eng. Laith Al-Khalaf for his expertise and hope this initiative meets the expectations of the Ministry of Defense. This collaboration, rooted in protocols between Kuwait University and the MoD, underscores our commitment to strengthening national cybersecurity through training and awareness.”

The workshop featured interactive sessions, including simulations to identify phishing attempts and best practices for secure communication, aligning with Kuwait’s National Cybersecurity Strategy and the goal of achieving Maturity Level 5 resilience by 2030. This initiative reflects Afnan and AmanTec’s dedication to advancing Kuwait’s cybersecurity landscape through education and strategic partnerships with the MoD, supporting Kuwait’s Vision 2035 for a secure digital future.