The eagerly anticipated Middle East and North Africa Information Security Conference 2023 is poised to ignite discussions and reveal insights on the pressing challenges and opportunities in the realms of artificial intelligence driven-cybersecurity. Set to take place on Sept. 12 and 13 at Hilton Riyadh, this year’s conference promises to be an unmissable event for professionals, innovators, and enthusiasts alike.
Among the leading keynote speakers from the cybersecurity industry will be Karim Hejazi, founder of Vigilocity and managing director of SCP and CO; Ayman Al-Fadhel, head of cybersecurity at Salam Telecommunications; and Anton Ivanov, chief technology officer at Kaspersky.
“Saudi Arabia’s dedication to advancing cybersecurity initiatives is of paramount importance, especially as AI and cognitive infrastructure continue to evolve and integrate into the fabric of its society,” Hejazi said. “These factors, among many others, create an asymmetric challenge that will give rise to a new breed of both cybercriminals and nation-state adversaries. Saudi Arabia is not only poised to deliver the next generation of thought leadership, innovation, and execution in this regard, but also has the opportunity to define a world-class standard of cyber excellence.”
Al-Fadhel, who will be speaking on the topic, “Cybersecurity in Our Everyday Lives,” said: “The changing regulations led by Saudi Arabia’s National Cybersecurity Authority show a stronger emphasis on cybersecurity, data protection, and infrastructure security. This indicates a dedication to countering digital threats and creating a safe ecosystem that aligns with the country’s Vision 2030.”
He also highlighted the increased activity in the sector and how it could lead to massive breakthroughs. “Local cybersecurity companies and startups in the Kingdom are growing due to increased demand for solutions, fueled by major tech projects. This trend could foster innovation and collaboration in the sector,” he added.
Bringing together not only the Kingdom’s trend-setters from the cybersecurity industry but also bridging the gap between international players to facilitate international collaboration, the conference also includes Ivanov among its keynote speakers, who presented interesting insights on critical infrastructure within the region.
“Kaspersky Industrial Control Systems Cyber Emergency Response Team registered attempted attacks on almost 38 percent of industrial control systems globally over the last year. In the Middle East, the figure is just over 42 percent, which highlights the fact that the local threat landscape is ever evolving and is continuously being targeted” he said, adding: “Kaspersky’s mission is to bring cybersecurity in government bodies and organizations to a whole new level using our expertise and technology. This will make the process of digital transformation in Saudi Arabia safer.”
Samir Omar, a consultant and technical expert for numerous companies and sectors, as well as CEO of VirtuPort, said: “MENA ISC 2023 presents an amazing opportunity with the participation of a distinguished group of international cybersecurity and AI experts to gather and facilitate constructive discussions. It’s a step forward in achieving a secure economy built upon AI-based cybersecurity solutions, shifting the industry’s stance from reactive to predictive, and to realize the digitally advanced economic goals and their protection according to Vision 2030. Additionally, it contributes to the Kingdom’s commitment to maintaining its leadership and excellence as the world’s top nation with the best AI strategy.”
Omar said that the significance of the conference stems from it being held in a leading technological country like Saudi Arabia, which is the largest information and communication technology market in the Middle East and North Africa.
