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Why Data Security Is a Growing Concern for Omani Enterprises

by Marc Eikelder updated May 16, 2025 Cybersecurity Risk Management

Reading Time: 6 minutes

In Oman, businesses are increasingly relying on data-driven decision-making. Yet, this growth brings significant risks, particularly in the realm of data security. Recent reports show that organizations using multiple disparate tools to manage sensitive information have higher chances of experiencing data breaches. In fact, a staggering 61% of global organizations have reported data breaches stemming from third-party interactions, highlighting the urgency for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) in Oman to improve their data oversight.

Omani enterprises are also facing growing pressure from local regulatory bodies, particularly the Cyber Defense Centre (CDC) – established under Royal Decree No. 64/2020 – which serves as the country’s central authority for cybersecurity oversight and enforcement. The CDC is responsible for monitoring, auditing, and coordinating national cybersecurity efforts across both public and private sectors.

Supporting institutions include the Oman National Computer Emergency Readiness Team (OCERT), which leads national responses to cyber incidents and promotes safer online practices, as well as the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), which oversees the certification and compliance of telecommunications and radio products.

These institutions have introduced and enforced stringent requirements for data protection, incident reporting, and system resilience. Failure to comply with these mandates can result in regulatory investigations, severe financial penalties, and reputational harm.

Table of Contents

Identifying the Blind Spots: Risks from Siloed Tools in Oman

The Challenge of Fragmented Tools

Currently, many organizations in Oman manage sensitive information across 6+ different tools. Each tool comes with its own set of controls and governance standards, creating blind spots that complicate compliance and auditing processes. The result is a fragmented data environment, which increases vulnerability to breaches and regulatory violations.

Real-World Examples of Data Breaches

Consider a recent data breach affecting a major financial institution in Oman, where sensitive client details were exposed due to the use of unapproved file-sharing services. This incident would have not only resulted in significant financial loss but also eroded customer trust and led to regulatory scrutiny. Such worst-case scenarios underscore the potential dangers of relying on various unintegrated tools.

The Impact of Shadow IT on Organizations

Shadow IT – where employees use unauthorized applications or services – further complicates data security in organizations. Research suggests that 35.5% of data breaches in 2024 were linked to third-party access. The allure of easy-to-use tools often pushes employees away from approved applications, creating a wider attack surface for cybercriminals.

Navigating Compliance Complexities: The Role of a Unified Platform

Explaining Omani Data Protection and Cybersecurity Laws

Oman’s data protection framework mandates strict adherence to privacy laws, including the Personal Data Protection Law (Royal Decree No. 6/2022), which aligns closely with international standards such as the GDPR. Compliance requires organizations to demonstrate full transparency and control over data handling practices, from data collection and storage to cross-border transfers. Failure to meet these requirements invites significant penalties and can severely compromise an organization’s market standing.

However, Omani cybersecurity regulations go beyond privacy alone. One of the most comprehensive laws is the Cybercrime Law (Royal Decree No. 12/2011), which criminalizes a broad range of digital offenses, including unauthorized access to IT systems, data manipulation or destruction, network disruption, and cyberterrorism. Violations can result in heavy fines and even long-term imprisonment. The law also penalizes the dissemination of illegal content and violations of personal privacy online – making it a cornerstone of the Sultanate’s cyber defense efforts.

Further strengthening the compliance landscape, Ministerial Decision No. 34 of 2024 introduces specific obligations that expand upon the data protection law. These include:

Mandatory approval for the processing of sensitive data
The appointment of a Data Protection Officer (DPO) and an external auditor
A strict 72-hour breach notification rule
Detailed requirements for exercising data subject rights and securing international data transfers

Lastly, the Electronic Transactions Law (Royal Decree No. 69/2008) – while partially superseded – still outlines essential provisions for securing and verifying the integrity of digital communications and transactions.

Together, these laws form a multi-layered legal framework that holds organizations in Oman to high standards of cybersecurity and data governance. For Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), this means navigating a complex but clearly defined regulatory environment where non-compliance is not an option – and proactive measures are essential to avoid legal, financial, and reputational consequences.

Importance of Compliance with International Standards

With many companies in Oman engaging in international business, understanding and implementing compliance frameworks like the GDPR or the ISO 27001 standard is critical. The overlapping requirements between local and international regulations can create duplicative efforts and compliance challenges that organizations must navigate.

Challenges Unique to the Omani Context

CISOs in Oman face unique challenges, such as limited resources and a lack of trained personnel to understand complex regulatory requirements. Furthermore, the rapid digital transformation within the region necessitates a real-time response strategy, which often proves difficult when using fragmented tools.

Why a Comprehensive Approach is Essential for Unified Data Oversight

Benefits of a Unified Platform

Implementing a unified platform for data governance solves many of the aforementioned challenges. By consolidating tools and forming a single point of control, organizations can ensure compliance with regulations across various frameworks, significantly lowering the chances of a breach.

The Risks of Continued Fragmentation

The consequences of maintaining a fragmented data governance system can be severe. The average cost of a data breach in 2024 was $4.88 million, illustrating not only the financial implications but also the long-term reputational damage faced by organizations that fail to take data oversight seriously.

How Unified Governance Enhances Audit Readiness

With a unified platform, organizations can maintain immutable audit logs and provide real-time monitoring of sensitive data transactions. This level of oversight ensures that organizations can quickly respond to audits and regulatory demands, marking a significant improvement over processes marked by inefficiency and opacity.

Strategic Imperatives for Strengthening Data Compliance in Oman

As outlined at the beginning of this article, Omani enterprises are operating in a landscape shaped by rapid digital growth – and with it, increasing regulatory pressure and escalating cyber threats. To remain resilient and compliant, organisations must shift from fragmented systems and ad hoc tools to a unified, transparent approach to data governance.

What’s needed is a centralised framework that ensures complete visibility into how sensitive information is handled, shared, and protected – across departments, platforms, and third parties. This shift not only enables more efficient compliance with national regulations and international standards but also significantly reduces the risk of breaches, penalties, and reputational damage.

For CISOs and executive teams, the path forward is clear: Treat data oversight as a strategic priority, not a reactive task. By consolidating governance, automating controls, and embedding compliance into everyday processes, organisations in Oman can build lasting trust, operational agility, and security in a connected world.

Kiteworks: The Solution for Unified Data Protection in Oman?

The Kiteworks Private Data Network (PDN) is designed to help organizations consolidate their data security efforts into a single, cohesive framework. This solution addresses the key challenges associated with unmanaged third-party access, inconsistent encryption, and audit gaps. By utilizing Kiteworks, businesses can leverage:

Unified Single-Tenant Controls: A single platform managing all data exchanges, including email, file sharing, and web forms.
Integrated Security Measures: End-to-end encryption with a zero-trust framework to ensure that data protection is robust across all channels.
Complete Auditability: Immutable audit logs facilitating effortless compliance with various frameworks, reducing litigation risk and enhancing operational efficiency.

By choosing Kiteworks, you can establish a trustworthy data governance environment, paving the way for future growth and compliance for your Omani business.

Take the Next Step Toward Enhanced Data Security

Contact us today to request a demo and discover how Kiteworks can transform your data governance and compliance approach!

Frequently Asked Questions

Oman’s main laws include the Personal Data Protection Law (Royal Decree No. 6/2022), the Cybercrime Law (Royal Decree No. 12/2011), and Ministerial Decision No. 34/2024. These establish strict rules for data privacy, criminalize cyber offenses, mandate breach reporting within 72 hours, and require a DPO and – depending on the company – an external auditor.

The Cyber Defense Centre (CDC) is the central authority for cybersecurity oversight in Oman. It is supported by OCERT (for incident response and public awareness) and the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), which handles certification and compliance of telecom and radio equipment.

A unified approach enables centralized visibility, streamlined compliance, and faster response to audits or incidents. It reduces the risks of regulatory non-compliance, strengthens operational security, and helps organizations adapt more effectively to both national and international data governance requirements.

The average cost of a data breach in 2024 was $4.88 million. Beyond financial damage, breaches also result in regulatory investigations, loss of customer trust, and long-term reputational harm – making proactive governance essential.

Omani CISOs can address data security and compliance challenges by implementing a unified platform for data governance, such as the Kiteworks Private Data Network. This approach provides visibility and control needed to protect organizations, ensures compliance with local and international regulations, and helps manage digital risks effectively.