BEIRUT - Lebanon is putting the final touches on a draft cybersecurity law intended to establish a national authority to coordinate the country's response to cyber threats, Minister of State for Technology and Artificial Intelligence Kamal Shehadeh said at a regional conference in Beirut.
Minister Shehadeh announced the development at the sixth regional conference of the Arab Federation for Internet and Communications (ARISPA), held under the title “Cybersecurity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” at the Mövenpick Hotel in Beirut.
Lebanon's Professional Computer Association (PCA) organized the event in cooperation with the technical secretariat of the Council of Arab Ministers of Communications and Information at the Arab League.
The proposed legislation aims to provide a clear institutional framework for national-level cybersecurity coordination and response, as Lebanon faces growing risks linked to the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
Lebanon Seeks Stronger Cybersecurity Framework
Minister Shehadeh said AI is enabling organizations to identify threats and strengthen digital defenses, while also giving malicious actors more advanced tools to carry out increasingly complex and rapid attacks.
He stressed the need to secure AI systems themselves, strengthen human oversight and accountability, and prepare for challenges posed by quantum computing, particularly in protecting digital communications, financial transactions and sensitive government information.
Minister Shehadeh outlined five priorities for improving Lebanon's cybersecurity readiness: integrating security into technology from the design stage, strengthening national cyber resilience, developing specialized skills, improving governance and accountability, and expanding regional cooperation and information-sharing.
He added that Lebanon has skilled technology and cybersecurity professionals who could help develop national capabilities to protect institutions and data.
Calls for National Strategy and Updated Laws
Member of Parliament Elias Hankach, rapporteur of Parliament's Information Technology Committee, called for a clear national cybersecurity strategy and updated legislation to keep pace with technological developments.
Hankach said cybersecurity had become a national security issue extending beyond the protection of computer systems, as digital threats increasingly affect critical infrastructure and state institutions.
He emphasized the need for coordination between public institutions and the private sector, alongside stronger legal protections for personal data and innovations developed by young Lebanese.
Firas Bakour, president of ARISPA, also called for greater investment in research, local technology companies and specialized talent. He said cybersecurity should be incorporated into systems from the design stage rather than addressed only after risks emerge.
Regional Cooperation and AI Governance
The conference also addressed the broader challenges facing Arab countries as AI adoption accelerates across public services, education, health and business.
Khaled Wali, a minister plenipotentiary at the Arab League, highlighted regional initiatives including the Arab AI Strategy, the Arab Charter on AI Ethics and the establishment of the Arab Permanent Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies.
Huawei's Vice President of Government Affairs, Larry Shi, stressed the importance of secure digital infrastructure, privacy protection and investment in training young Lebanese professionals.
The conference featured four sessions covering AI governance and cybersecurity, protection of critical Arab infrastructure, emerging technologies and the development of a secure and trustworthy Arab AI ecosystem.
