KIB Collaborates with Kuwait Petroleum Corporation on Specialized Learning Experience in Cybersecurity and Internal Audit Practices

Kuwait International Bank (KIB) announced its collaboration with Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), through the organization of a specialized learning session that covered cybersecurity practices in the banking sector, alongside an overview of modern internal audit practices. This cooperation between the two parties underscores the importance of partnerships between the banking and oil sectors, and their role in supporting the development of national competencies and reinforcing a culture of continuous learning, in line with KIB’s commitment to its social responsibility and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards.

The initiative involved hosting several employees from KPC’s Internal Audit Department, Risk Management Department, and Information Technology Department, providing them with the opportunity to observe KIB’s approaches and practical applications in the fields of internal audit and cybersecurity.

The session was held at the KIB Life Academy, leveraging its role as a specialized learning and development platform within the bank. The academy provides an interactive environment that combines theoretical knowledge with practical application, supports the exchange of expertise, and fosters professional skill development. Through the academy, KIB continues to invest in developing competencies and promoting a culture of continuous learning, while expanding the reach of its expertise through collaboration and knowledge sharing with various national institutions.

On this occasion, Bassel Al-Suwaidan, General Manager of Information Security, Privacy, and Fraud Prevention at KIB, stated: “Our collaboration with Kuwait Petroleum Corporation came in the form of organizing an introductory course on cybersecurity practices in the banking sector, reflecting the importance of the banking and oil sectors as vital industries in the State of Kuwait. We believe that cooperation between them represents a significant and fruitful opportunity to exchange knowledge and expertise, and to enhance readiness to address the rapidly evolving challenges in the field of cybersecurity.”

For her part, Dalal Anwar Al-Humoud, Head of Employee Development Team at Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, said: “We are pleased to achieve the first collaboration between Kuwait Petroleum Corporation and KIB, which adds to our efforts to diversify the learning and professional development experiences we offer to our employees. Through such initiatives, we strive to provide learning opportunities outside the usual work environment, thereby broadening employees’ horizons and enriching their professional experiences.”

In turn, Manal Al-Rabiah, Chief Internal Auditor at KIB, stated: “We are honored to collaborate with Kuwait Petroleum Corporation by hosting several employees from the Internal Audit Department, and providing a platform for sharing specialized practices and expertise in the fields of internal audit and cybersecurity. This experience represents an opportunity to deepen professional knowledge and gain insight into diverse working methods that contribute to elevating professional practices.”

For his part, Hadi Hadi, Acting General Manager of Human Resources at KIB, said: “Investing in human capital is one of the fundamental pillars at KIB. We strive to provide practical learning experiences that keep pace with developments in the work environment and help develop specialized skills. We also believe in the importance of expanding the impact of these efforts through collaboration with national institutions, including Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, thereby enhancing the integration of expertise across various sectors and supporting national competencies in achieving the objectives of Kuwait Vision 2035 and the country’s economic development journey.”

KIB’s efforts to raise awareness of cybersecurity practices run parallel to its ongoing support for the “Let’s Be Aware” campaign, launched by the Central Bank of Kuwait in collaboration with the Kuwait Banks Association and supported by local banks, with the aim of enhancing financial and banking literacy and raising public awareness.

It is worth noting that KIB adopts an integrated approach to sustainability and corporate social responsibility, focusing its initiatives and programs on areas with long-term impact, including learning, development, and capacity building, alongside supporting initiatives that contribute to the economic and social development of the State of Kuwait, in line with its institutional slogan, “A Bank for Life.”