Kuwait has set up a taskforce to combat hacking and protect government departments and other vital enterprises, according to Al Qabas newspaper.
Eight officers specialised in cyber security will provide technical round-the-clock surveillance to protect vital national information infrastructure against any malicious attacks.
Senior Interior Ministry officials ordered the clampdown following a recent wave of hackings on key facilities, particularly targeting banks.
Criminal Investigation acting director general Major-General Mohammed Al Sharhan set up the team to foil hackers’ attacks and protect IT networks in public and private enterprises as well.
According to sources, the team has already repelled highly-complicated attacks targeting local banks, ministries, government departments and other sensitive entities.
The team is tasked to assess threats, deal with cyber-attacks, analyse evidence and malicious software programmes and detect loopholes.
The taskforce has so far succeeded in blocking the “black box” – twitter accounts spreading rumours and fuelling strife on social media.
A Kuwaiti businessman has also been arrested and put in prison pending trial for running the “Sheikh” twitter account that foments disorder, unrest and fuels strife.