Speaker Bio

Sheikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa currently serves as the CEO of the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC). A graduate of Suffolk University in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, he holds a double major in Accounting and Information Technology. His career spans over two decades, with extensive experience in IT, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. Sheikh Salman began his career at the Central Informatics Organization (CIO), later contributing to the establishment of IT infrastructure at the Royal Court. His tenure at the Information and eGovernment Authority (IGA) saw him rise through various key positions, from Network Engineer and Head of the Smart Card Initiative Project, to General Director of Information Technology, culminating in his role as Executive Vice President of Operations and Governance.
During his time at IGA, Sheikh Salman spearheaded several landmark projects. Notably, he led the implementation of the New Government Data Network (GDN), which linked all governmental agencies across Bahrain through high-speed MPLS. He also oversaw the development of Bahrain's National Identity Card using Smartcard Technology, a critical component of the country's digital transformation. In addition, Sheikh Salman played a pivotal role in advancing Bahrain's e-Government initiative. He developed and deployed applications that enabled the delivery of e-Services via the National Portal (bahrain.bh) by integrating systems across multiple government organizations. He also established Bahrain’s government private cloud, laying the groundwork for the consolidation of IT infrastructure across agencies. Currently, he is leading the technical team responsible for migrating Bahrain's government IT services to Amazon Web Services (AWS), marking a significant step in the nation's digital journey. As CEO of the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC), Sheikh Salman leads Bahrain's national cybersecurity initiatives. His efforts focus on critical areas such as cybersecurity monitoring, incident response, awareness programs, and establishing national cybersecurity standards. Under his leadership, the NCSC is ensuring the Kingdom’s resilience against cyber threats and promoting a robust culture of cybersecurity across all sectors.