Cybersecurity leaders from the region will gather for the first-ever Gulf News Cybersecurity Forum 2023.
The inaugural event, organised by agnc3 by Gulf News, is taking place June 15 in Dubai. It will tackle multiple topics during a series of thought-provoking panel discussions, with a key focus on dealing with cyberthreats in the digital age.
Speakers will discuss critical topics during six separate talks, including the significance of a strong CIO-CFO relationship for businesses; the future of cybersecurity; cloud security for the digital age; cybersecurity architecture; the need for security assessments; end-to-end security compliance and artificial intelligence.
This year, the UAE is projected to spend $20 billion to be a leading hub for technology and innovation in the Middle East. Globally, the cybersecurity market is predicted to be worth $363.05 billion in 2025, which according to research by consultancy Mordor Intelligence, is 125 per cent more than the amount spent in 2019. Growth is expected to continue in the UAE cybersecurity market at a rate of 11.1 per cent a year during 2020-26.
Avinash Advani, Founder and CEO at CyberKnight, one of a sponsor of the event, expressed his delight at being a part of the occasion, “As a trusted adviser to enterprises and government organisations in the region, being present at this event is essential for us.”
Advani added that while techniques in cybercrime have remained consistent, the level of complexity is changing. “In 2022, we saw cybercriminals target critical infrastructure in the region, including information technology, financial services, healthcare, and energy sectors, with headline-grabbing incidents. The core cybercrime methods have not changed, but the sophistication of them has increased.”
The day will kick off with keynote speeches from Dr. Mohammed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity, UAE Government, followed by Dr. Bushra Al Blooshi, Head of Research & Innovation, Dubai Electronic Security Center, Digital Dubai Authority.
Koshy Oommen, Managing Director, InShield told Gulf News he is excited to see so many industry pioneers under one roof. “InShield Technologies considers the Gulf News Cybersecurity Forum 2023 as a platform for sharing knowledge, insights, and best practices in the field of cybersecurity. The event is bringing together experts, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to discuss emerging threats, innovative solutions, and strategies to protect today’s digital transformation norm.”
Strengthening cybersecurity is proving vital in tackling an increase in cybercrime. Emad Faraj, Senior Director - Sales META, Recorded Future, understands the importance of raising awareness of cybersecurity through events like the Gulf News Cybersecurity Forum. “We are always on the lookout for quality events that can guarantee valuable interactions with C-Level cybersecurity professionals,” he said. “This event is bringing together a large number of cybersecurity professionals from all industry sectors because of Gulf News’ loyal readership and strong legacy,” he added.
Leading technology companies including Huawei, Recorded Future, Inshield Technologies, XM Cyber, Cyberknight, Skyhigh Security, Plus 971 Cybersecurity, EMT Distribution, Progress, Flexera, Mindfire Technologies, Infinidat, Finesse, Honeywell, Cloud Networks, SAF, Avanade and ABA Legal Consultants are proudly sponsoring the Gulf News Cybersecurity Forum 2023, taking place at Anantara Downtown Dubai Hotel.
The event is held under the patronage of Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security, UAE Government and in partnership with UAE Cyber Security Council. Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC) and Digital Dubai Authority also endorse the event.
AT A GLANCE
What: Gulf News Cybersecurity Forum 2023
When: June 15, 2023
Where: Anantara Downtown Dubai Hotel
Scan QR code to register for Gulf News Cybersecurity Forum.
● Dr Bushra Al Blooshi, Head of Research & Innovation, Dubai Electronic Security Center, Digital Dubai Authority
● Ahmad Al Mulla, Former chairman & board member, CIO Majlis
● Ameena Raheem, Head of Information Technology, Engineering Office
● Richard Jackson, COO, TASC Outsourcing
● Ramesh Subramanian, Chief Financial Officer, RAKEZ
● Stephen Kruger, Chief Technology Officer, Careem
● Jacob Mathew, Head of Information Technology, Government of Abu Dhabi Entity
● Rakesh Narang, Vice President Technology, Aldar Properties
● Mohammed Noufel, Cluster Manager, IT Infrastructure and Operations, Royal Continental Hotels & Suites
● Nour Fateen, Director, Sales Engineering EMEA, Recorded Future
● Dhiraj Sasidharan, Vice President, Threat & Compliance Management, Emirates NBD
● Vishal Vijaykumar Bhawnani, Head of Cyber Security, Virgin Mobile UAE
● Adel Alhosani, Chief Information Security Officer, Dubai Customs
● Ashraf Esmat Khalil, Senior Solution Architect, Huawei Middle East & Central Asia
● Vijay Babber, Channel Manager Middle East & Africa, Skyhigh Security
● Biju Hameed, Head of Technology Infrastructure Operations, Dubai Airports
● Dr. Hamad Khalifa, Head of Telecommunications Division, Abu Dhabi Police
● Sunil Paul, Co-Founder & Managing Director at Finesse Global
● Lars van der Zande, Senior Solution Architect, Enterprise Business Group, Huawei Middle East & Central Asia
● Prabhat Pathak, IT Consultant
● Shafiullah Ismail, Vice President, Cyber Security Architecture & Risk, Mubadala Capital
● Hussain AlKhalsan, Chief Information Security Officer, Zand Bank
● Hariprasad Chede, Chief Information Security Officer, National Bank of Fujairah
● Waqas Haider, Chief Information Security Officer, HBL Microfinance Bank LTD
● Craig Boyle, Head Offensive Cyber Consulting, XM Cyber
● Geetha Lakshmi, Managing Counsel, ABA Legal Consultants
● Dr. Hossam Elshenraki, Associate Professor of Criminal Investigation, Dubai Police Academy
● Mario Foster, Chief Information Officer, Al Ghurair Group
● Pranav Bhopatkar, MEA Cybersecurity Director, Honeywell
● Ellis Wang, Chairman & Partner, AI Enabled Business Development Hub
● Goutam Pudota, Group Head Information Security, IFFCO
● Ahmed Al Kindi, Chief Information Security Officer, Mohammed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence
● Rejeesh Kumar, CTO, Mindfire Technologies
