OTC-CoE and Aramco Advance OT Cybersecurity
The Operational Technology Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence, or OTC-CoE, has completed its OT Cybersecurity Hackathon in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. The four-day event took place at Dhahran Techno Valley from August 24 to 27, 2026.
The OTC-CoE organised the hackathon in collaboration with Aramco. Meanwhile, the initiative brought together cybersecurity specialists, students, researchers, technology leaders, and professionals from critical sectors.
The event focused on operational technology security and critical infrastructure resilience. In particular, participants worked on practical challenges affecting industrial environments. The organisers also aimed to strengthen specialist skills and knowledge exchange across the OT cybersecurity ecosystem.
Hackathon Tackles Four OT Security Challenges
The competition brought together 40 teams from across the OT cybersecurity community. Moreover, participants developed strategies, prototypes, and threat models during the four-day program.
The challenges covered four priority areas: obsolescence, visibility, OT system diversity, and operational constraints. As a result, teams had to address the security and operational issues found in industrial environments.
Participants also received guidance from national and international experts. Mentors also supported teams as they developed and presented their solutions. The final stage included presentations before an industry judging panel.
The Global Cybersecurity Forum later reported that participants came from 18 countries. The event also drew nearly 200 participants from academia, OT operators, technology vendors, and the wider cybersecurity ecosystem.
The organisers designed the hackathon as a practical capacity-building initiative. As a result, participants could test ideas against real-world OT security challenges while working with peers from across the industry.
OTC-CoE Builds Wider OT Security Network
Aramco and the Global Cybersecurity Forum established the OTC-CoE in 2023. Since then, the centre has brought together organisations across the OT cybersecurity value chain.
Its members include Saudi Information Technology Company, Cyberani, Honeywell, Schneider Electric, and SABIC. Meanwhile, the centre works across five areas: capacity development, standardisation and policy support, research and innovation, thought leadership, and awareness.
The hackathon therefore formed part of the center’s broader capability-development work. It also supported the exchange of technical knowledge among operators, vendors, researchers, and cybersecurity professionals.
The initiative also reflects the security requirements of operational technology environments. Unlike conventional IT systems, OT platforms directly support industrial processes and critical infrastructure. As a result, cyber incidents can disrupt operational continuity and essential services. The OTC-CoE identifies energy, water, and electricity infrastructure among the areas requiring stronger OT protection.
Winners Highlight Practical OT Security Solutions
The hackathon concluded with teams presenting their proposed approaches to the judging panel. Subsequently, RECON2 was named the overall winner, according to the Global Cybersecurity Forum.
Teams SecureCore, Firm-Where, and SENTRAY also secured top positions in their respective challenge tracks. Their ideas will undergo further review to assess potential industry applications.
The organisers also offered prizes to recognise participants’ contributions. Earlier event information listed total prizes of SAR 200,000.
The hackathon was open to cybersecurity experts, students, researchers, and professionals. Eligible participants also included employees from oil and gas companies, utilities, technology vendors, government entities, and related organisations.
For OTC-CoE and Aramco, the event provides a platform to develop practical OT security capabilities. It also connects emerging cybersecurity talent with industrial operators and technology providers.
The initiative also reinforces the importance of collaboration across the OT cybersecurity value chain. As industrial systems become increasingly connected, the organisers are using training, research, standards, and innovation to support the resilience of critical infrastructure and strategic sectors.
