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Marrakech – King Mohammed VI, Supreme Commander and Chief of General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), has appointed Brigadier General Abdellah Boutrig as Director General of the General Directorate of Information Systems Security (DGSSI).
General Boutrig replaces Brigadier General El Mostapha Rabii who previously held this position.
Boutrig is an engineer by training from the National Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics (INSEA) and a graduate of the Royal Military Academy of Meknes (class of 1987).
He also holds a staff course diploma, an advanced defense course certificate, and a master’s degree in security and defense from the Royal College of Advanced Military Studies.
Throughout his career, Boutrig has held several positions of responsibility. He previously served as Director of Assistance, Training, Control and Expertise at the DGSSI before becoming Deputy Inspector of Transmissions for the FAR.
According to the DGSSI, this appointment continues Morocco’s ongoing efforts in cybersecurity and strengthens the country’s commitment to securing and protecting the national cyberspace, which is considered a strategic priority for digital transition.
The DGSSI is Morocco’s government authority responsible for state cybersecurity. Created by Decree No. 2-11-509 on September 21, 2011, it operates under the National Defense Administration (de facto defense ministry).
The agency runs maCERT, the national computer emergency response team that monitors, detects, and coordinates responses to cyberattacks. It also handles incident reporting and publishes security bulletins.
Additionally, the DGSSI sets and oversees national cybersecurity policies and standards, including the National Directive on Information Systems Security (DNSSI) established in 2014.
The directorate leads national cybersecurity governance and coordination bodies, such as the Strategic Cybersecurity Committee under the cybersecurity law framework.
Breakdown of Morocco’s 2030 national cybersecurity strategy
In July 2024, the DGSSI unveiled its National Cybersecurity Strategy for 2030. The strategy aims to build a reliable, secure, and resilient national cyberspace capable of supporting the country’s digital transformation, promoting economic prosperity, and ensuring citizens’ well-being.
The 2030 strategy is structured around four pillars, 11 strategic objectives, 26 initiatives, and 60 actions. The first pillar focuses on national cybersecurity governance, aiming to strengthen the legal and regulatory framework while improving national coordination mechanisms.
The second pillar addresses the security and resilience of the national cyberspace through four strategic objectives, including supporting data-based decision-making and strengthening national incident response capabilities.
The third pillar concentrates on capacity development and awareness, which includes developing a cybersecurity culture within society, strengthening human resource capabilities, and supporting the national cybersecurity ecosystem.
The fourth pillar aims to develop bilateral cooperation and promote active participation in regional and international cybersecurity initiatives.
