CONNECTING THE DOTS

Gulf Information Security Expo & Conference, better known as GISEC, was launched in 2012 as a focused platform to address cyber security issues in the region. The organisers recognised that as the region continued to experience rapid economic growth and technological development, there was a corresponding increase in cyber threats and attacks. This created a need for a platform where industry experts, government officials, and cybersecurity professionals could come together to share knowledge and insights on the latest threats and solutions in the cybersecurity landscape.

The rebranding as GISEC Global was done to reflect the event’s growing international profile and to emphasise its role as a leading cybersecurity conference on the global stage. The first edition of GISEC Global was held in 2019 and was attended by over 8,000 visitors from 84 countries, making it the largest cybersecurity event in the region at that time.

Next week, the best-known cybersecurity event in the Middle East will celebrate its 11th edition as, once again, cybersecurity experts, industry leaders, technology vendors, and government officials from the Gulf region and around the world gather in Dubai to discuss the latest trends, threats, and solutions in the field of information security.

The inaugural edition of GISEC brought together more than 100 exhibitors and 2,500 visitors from the UAE and the wider Gulf region. Since then, GISEC has grown in size and popularity, attracting more attendees, exhibitors, and sponsors each year. The 2022 edition saw over 300 global cybersecurity brands and brought together over 10,000 information security professionals from over 70 countries, making it the largest cybersecurity event in the Middle East.

GISEC has expanded beyond traditional information security topics to cover emerging technologies and trends, such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things. A significant differentiator last year was the UAE’s biggest Bug Bounty hunt, which saw 100 ethical hackers coming together to find and fix security flaws. Some examples of significant announcements and developments from previous editions of GISEC:

• 2021 saw the launch of the first-ever Global Cybersecurity Congress by the UAE Cyber Security Council as a platform for government cybersecurity leaders. The edition also welcomed the

• GISEC Global 2020 was held as a virtual conference from June 1-3, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• In 2019, GISEC announced the launch of the Cyber Alliance Program, which aimed to bring together leading cybersecurity solution providers and industry experts to collaborate and share knowledge on the latest threats and solutions.

• In 2018, GISEC announced the introduction of the AI and Machine Learning Conference, which focused on the latest advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning in cybersecurity.

• In 2017, GISEC hosted several keynote speakers and industry experts who discussed the latest cybersecurity trends and developments. One of the critical topics of discussion was the rise of ransomware attacks and the importance of robust backup and recovery strategies.

• In 2016, GISEC hosted the CyberX Summit, which focused on the latest cybersecurity threats and solutions in the Middle East and North Africa region. The event featured keynote speakers from government and industry, workshops, and panel discussions on topics such as cybercrime, threat intelligence, and incident response.

• In 2015, GISEC featured a number of exhibitors showcasing the latest cybersecurity solutions and technologies, including firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and endpoint protection solutions. The event also hosted workshops and seminars on topics such as cybersecurity risk management, cloud security, and mobile security.

While ‘digitalise or perish’ may seem extreme, I think we all understand that the pandemic and other disruptions, manmade and natural, provided a massive boost to the digitalisation trend and accelerated the process across sectors while also opening up new vulnerabilities, many unimagined. For example, Global Risks Report 2022 by World Economic Forum noted that the costs of cybercrime are not just financial: critical infrastructure, societal cohesion, and mental well-being are also in jeopardy.

Overall, GISEC has been an essential platform for industry experts, government officials, and cybersecurity professionals to come together to share knowledge and insights on the latest threats and solutions in the cybersecurity landscape.

GISEC has helped raise awareness of the importance of cybersecurity and has contributed to developing more robust cybersecurity practices and policies in the MENA region. The event’s growth trajectory since inception is just a short distance from its bigger and older ICT cousin - GITEX, which completed its 42nd edition last September. They share a common pedigree – they are part of Dubai World Trade Centre’s portfolio of technology events.