Kuwait’s Director General of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Brigadier Abdullah Al-Hassan, reaffirmed the importance of robust data systems — particularly criminal records and biometric fingerprint databases — in enhancing regional efforts to combat cybercrime.

Speaking on Wednesday at the 20th Arab Conference of Heads of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Evidence Agencies held in Tunis, Al-Hassan, who chaired the session under Kuwait’s current presidency of the General Secretariat of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers, emphasized the urgency of strengthening technological infrastructure to address evolving digital threats.

Al-Hassan described cybercrime as the “mother of all crimes,” explaining that it is a gateway for various other offenses, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, and domestic violence, often initiated or facilitated through digital platforms and social media.

Highlighting the conference’s objective, Al-Hassan noted that member states are actively following up on previous proposals aimed at deepening Arab cooperation in the realm of digital security and criminal investigations.

“Cybercrime no longer stops at borders. It is a transnational issue that requires regional coordination, sophisticated tools, and specialized personnel,” Al-Hassan said.

In his address, the CID chief proposed the creation of a unified procedural manual and a centralized biometric fingerprint database shared among Arab nations to enhance detection and response efforts.

He stressed that pooling biometric and criminal record data across the region would greatly aid in tracking repeat offenders and uncovering cross-border criminal networks.

Kuwait has already made strides in deploying biometric registration and integrating it into national security systems, as reported earlier during regional cyber security forums. These advancements contribute to more streamlined identification and investigation processes. Read more about this in our related article.

Al-Hassan underlined that Arab criminal investigation and forensic agencies are working to build highly specialized teams equipped with advanced technologies and forensic tools.

These teams, he noted, are vital in navigating the complex cyber landscape and enhancing overall digital resilience in the region.

“Only through investment in talent and innovation can we ensure a safer digital environment for our communities,” he added.

The conference brought together security experts and heads of forensic evidence units from across the Arab world. Discussions centered on establishing interoperable systems, standard operating procedures, and joint training programs to elevate collective cybersecurity capabilities.

This high-level regional collaboration mirrors recent initiatives in the GCC region focused on improving cross-border digital investigations, in line with global cybersecurity trends and frameworks. Visit INTERPOL Cybercrime to learn more.