Cybersecurity specialist Mr. Samer Kilani, a member of the Syrian British Professinal Network (SBPN), has called on the Syrian government to strengthen its collaboration with skilled professionals from the Syrian diaspora. He emphasised that the SBPN aims to offer sustainable solutions that support Syria’s digital future.
Kilani made these remarks during an interview with the media platform “+963,” featured in an analytical news report titled “No Cybersecurity in Syria.” In the report, Kilani explained that the repeated cyberattacks on Syrian government websites are largely due to serious technical and administrative vulnerabilities. These include the absence of a unified information security policy, reliance on outdated operating systems and applications, and insufficient security measures such as multi-factor authentication and penetration testing. He noted that the suspected perpetrators range from foreign intelligence agencies and cybercriminal groups to internal actors with various motives.
Kilani warned of the grave implications such vulnerabilities pose for citizens’ digital security. These risks include the leakage of personal identity data, medical and banking records, and even the manipulation of official transactions. At the state level, he added, the damage could involve the exposure of critical infrastructure, erosion of public trust, and susceptibility to disinformation campaigns and political intrusions.
In response, Kilani outlined several recommendations for the Syrian government. Chief among them is the development of a comprehensive national cybersecurity strategy, the adoption of international standards such as ISO/IEC 27001, and the activation of a national rapid response team. He also reiterated the importance of leveraging the expertise of Syrian professionals abroad, referencing his own membership in the Syrian British Network of Expertise, which is committed to delivering sustainable, future-oriented digital solutions for Syria.
It is worth noting that “+963” describes itself on its official website as an independent and impartial media organization that reports on Syrian affairs. It offers a diverse range of journalistic content aimed at supporting human rights, democracy, and the rejection of hate speech. Operating under the motto “Syria and Its Realities,” the platform officially launched on March 1, 2024, and operates through a network of correspondents both within Syria and internationally.
Report: “No Cybersecurity in Syria!” by Ammar Abdul Latif, published on the website “+963” on June 24, 2025.
