Saudi Aramco, Raytheon in Cyber Security Joint Venture

Saudi Aramco and Raytheon Company, through its subsidiary Raytheon Saudi Arabia, have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a joint venture company that will develop and cyber security services in Saudi Arabia and the region.

The JV will increase cyber security protections available to Saudi Aramco, its suppliers, customers and affiliates. It will also help build world-class cyber capabilities in Saudi Arabia and the region.

The joint venture company will market and provide integrated defensive cyber security software and hardware capabilities, and perform research and development activities.

Saudi cyber activities have recently come under scrutiny following the murder of journalist Kamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Reports have said that the journalist's phone was being tapped using a cybersecurity software, bought from an Israeli company, in the weeks leading up to his murder.

In addition, Saudi Arabia is known to watch over dissident activity using cyber security tools, according to human rights groups.