CQR and sirar by stc partner on OT security

Cybersecurity firms CQR (Absolute Solution for Cybersecurity Co.) and sirar by stc signed a Master Services Agreement on 3 September 2026 to strengthen operational technology (OT) cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection across Saudi Arabia.

CQR is described as the first Saudi company specialized in OT cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection, focused on industrial and operational environments in the Kingdom. The agreement sets up a collaborative framework to deliver integrated cybersecurity solutions and managed services for OT, Internet of Things (IoT), and Industrial IoT (IIoT) environments.

The partnership combines Saudi-developed OT and industrial cybersecurity technologies from CQR with the managed cybersecurity service capabilities of sirar by stc, aiming to protect critical assets, industrial processes, and vital operations. A core element is the FENNEC platform, designed and built in Saudi Arabia to protect critical infrastructure and complex industrial and operational settings, including OT and IoT environments.

The agreement also aims to support the establishment of a sovereign, AI-enabled OT and IoT Cybersecurity Monitoring and Assurance Center in Saudi Arabia, providing local monitoring, threat detection, and assurance for critical infrastructure and industrial environments.

What the cooperation will cover

The expected scope, to be defined in separate detailed agreements, includes OT and IoT cybersecurity maturity assessments, regulatory and governance gap analysis, critical asset identification, and security architecture design for OT and IoT networks. It also covers deployment and integration of the FENNEC platform with diverse industrial technologies, managed security monitoring, proactive threat hunting, incident response, continuous compliance and risk assessment, and training and knowledge transfer programs in industrial cybersecurity.

The agreement is positioned within Saudi Arabia's broader digital transformation and critical infrastructure protection initiatives, targeting sectors such as industrial facilities and utilities. For residents and businesses in the Kingdom, stronger local capabilities in this area support the reliability and safety of essential services that communities depend on every day.

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