Riyadh: TECHz – News Desk
Etihad Salam Telecom Company (Salam), a prominent provider of telecommunications and digital infrastructure in the Kingdom, has been officially awarded a Tier 2 license by the National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) to deliver Managed Security Operations Center (MSOC) services.
The authorization, officially issued on Sunday, July 5, 2026 (20/1/1448H), grants Salam the regulatory approval to provide these specialized cybersecurity services across Saudi Arabia for a five-year period. The newly acquired Tier 2 license empowers Salam to offer structured security monitoring, active threat detection, and actionable response recommendations to its enterprise clients. Under the NCA’s regulatory framework, Tier 2 MSOC service providers are authorized to deliver comprehensive cybersecurity solutions to private-sector organizations. This specific licensing tier permits service provision to all commercial entities, strictly excluding government organizations and entities that own, operate, or host Critical National Infrastructures (CNIs).
The addition of managed security operations significantly enhances Salam’s existing digital portfolio. Operating a network established in 2005, the company already provides a wide array of enterprise information and communications technology (ICT) solutions, including cloud computing platforms, data center hosting, and advanced telecommunications and connectivity. By bringing cybersecurity directly into its ecosystem, Salam can now offer private-sector clients integrated capabilities that combine connectivity and digital protection under a single, unified framework. This approach reduces operational complexity for local enterprises, allowing them to manage their digital transformation and security needs through a consolidated vendor.
Eng. Ahmed Al Anqari, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Salam Telecom Company, highlighted the strategic importance of the licensing milestone. He noted that the license reflects Salam’s commitment to its strategic objectives and to a vision in which a more connected Saudi Arabia is also a more cyber-ready one. Al Anqari emphasized that the company continues to work closely with government entities to ensure full compliance with the Kingdom’s cybersecurity regulations, ensuring that connectivity enhancements are met with corresponding upgrades in cyber readiness.
Salam’s new MSOC capabilities directly support the digital economy goals outlined in Saudi Vision 2030. By developing specialized local talent in the cybersecurity sector and offering reliable, high-quality digital protection to local enterprises, the company aims to foster an innovation-based, secure, and resilient economic landscape throughout the Kingdom.
