In a move reflecting the commitment of educational institutions in Saudi Arabia to keeping pace with the rapid digital transformation, Taibah University in Madinah announced the launch of the “Cybersecurity Camp,” a specialized training program for faculty members and those in similar positions at Saudi universities. This camp aims to reinforce digital security concepts within the academic environment and is scheduled to be held remotely from February 1st to 4th, 2026.
National context for promoting digital security
The organization of this camp is in line with the tireless efforts exerted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the field of cybersecurity, as the Kingdom has achieved qualitative leaps in international cybersecurity indicators within the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. Universities and educational institutions are the first line of defense in spreading awareness, as such initiatives aim to create a safe digital environment that supports the educational and research process, and protects sensitive data from the increasing threats in cyberspace.
The importance of the camp and its strategic objectives
The importance of this camp is not limited to the theoretical aspect; it focuses primarily on the practical side to enhance the preparedness of academic staff. The program aims to:
- Raising awareness of emerging cyber risks.
- Empowering faculty members with the tools necessary to protect their digital identity.
- Building technical capabilities capable of effectively dealing with digital threats.
- Establishing safe practices to ensure the continuity of academic work without interruption.
Details of the four training programs
The university designed an intensive schedule covering the most prominent current security challenges, spread over four consecutive days, all starting at 8:30 pm:
1. Phishing and Social Engineering (Sunday)
The camp opens with a program focused on "phishing," exploring the psychological and technical motives attackers use to infiltrate minds before devices. It will explain suspicious communication channels, sophisticated social engineering tactics, and how to detect them before falling victim.
2. Smartphone security (Monday)
Given the widespread reliance on mobile devices, the second day is dedicated to discussing "Smartphone Security." The program will cover threats targeting different operating systems, hacking techniques via applications, and provide a practical demonstration of how to activate built-in security features and best practices for protecting personal data.
3. Protecting Identity in Cyberspace (Tuesday)
Under the theme “Your Accounts… Your Identity in Cyberspace,” the third day focuses on the importance of protecting digital accounts, which represent the user's online identity. It will cover password security and the importance of enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) as an indispensable line of defense in today's world.
4. Password attacks and how to prevent them (Wednesday)
The camp concludes with a vital program on "Password Attacks and Prevention Methods." Common attack types, such as brute-force attacks, and common human errors in password selection will be reviewed, along with practical solutions for creating and managing strong and complex passwords.
Taibah University invited all interested parties from the target groups to follow its official platforms on social media to obtain registration links and learn more precise details about the mechanism for joining this important technical event.
