Closed doors from Israel push Qatar to buy cyber surveillance technology from Italy
Over time, Italy has become the new advanced cyber warfare player. It has been aggressively trying to capture the Middle Eastern,market making Qatar already its client.
Italy became one the major designated cyber partner of Qatar after various bilateral agreements were signed between the two nations, which has also facilitated the entry of Italian cyber private players in Qatar as well.
In past, Italian-based information technology firm The Hacking Team founded by David Vincenzetti sold offensive intrusion and surveillance capabilities to governments, law enforcement agencies, and corporations among which Qatar has been proven as a major client.
The researchers at internet watchdog Citizen Lab had found traces of FinSpy, part of an “intrusion” software suite known as FinFisher, which was being used by government agencies in over 30 countries to target critics and protesters. These countries included Oman and Qatar as major clients.
The researchers at internet watchdog Citizen Lab had found traces of FinSpy, part of an “intrusion” software suite known as FinFisher, which was being used by government agencies in over 30 countries to target critics and protesters. These countries included Oman and Qatar as major clients.
Another Italian surveillance company, Cy4gate founded by Eugenio Santagata is also known for selling social media monitoring tools and has signed contracts globally in the Pakistan, Qatar, Central Asia, and Latin America.
In 2021, Qatar exclusively signed an agreement with Italy-based firm Leonardo led by Tommaso Profeta Managing Director for providing cyber training to the Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI) for strengthening the resilience of digital infrastructure against potential cyber-attacks.
On 14th Feb. 2022, the first strategic dialogue between the Italy Prime Minister H E Mario Draghi meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani held in Rome to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The relation between the two countries reflects the political will to enhance the cooperation in various fields.
The defense ministries of Italy and Qatar have also signed various technical agreements on defense cooperation for the preparation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament that was held in November last year.
The Qatari side was represented by HE Major General (Pilot) Mohammed Abdullatif Al Mannai, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the World Cup, while the Italian side was represented by HE Major General Achille Fernando Cosania, Commander of the Operations Department of the Italian Air Force.
The strengthening supply of cyber technology from Italy to Qatar is partially due to the advanced technology possessed by the Italian government and its private firms but also due to Qatar’s Geopolitical restraints from Israel.
In a recent development, Memento Labs (formerly known as Hacking Team) is now trying to re-enter the Middle Eastern market again. Hacking Team was purchased by a firm called InTheCyber and rebranded as Memento Labs in 2019.
It has recently placed its products in the catalog of SAT (Scientific Analytical Tools) and may soon be delivering to all its past clients including Qatar.
