GISEC Global 2025 gets underway in Dubai, fuelling growth of the billion-dollar cybersecurity market
Kaspersky CEO and founder Eugene Kaspersky is among the top speakers to take to the stage on the opening day.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Leveraging AI to help build secure and resilient infrastructures and redefining the future of the cybersecurity industry were among the key topics explored at GISEC Global 2025 as the world's third-largest cybersecurity event got underway today.
Held under the theme of 'Securing an AI-Powered Future,' the annual event has attracted more than 750 of the world's foremost cybersecurity companies, 450 global CISOs and futurists and 25,0000 visitors from over 160 countries.
With the global cybersecurity market anticipated to be worth $298.5 billion by 2028, according to Markets and Markets, the 14th edition's opening day saw several panel discussions, workshops and roundtables take place, focusing on the power of AI and how it's changing the cybersecurity landscape.
'Industry must rise to meet the challenges of the fifth industrial revolution'
H.E. Dr Mohamed Al-Kuwaiti, Head of the UAE Cybersecurity Council, delivered a powerful speech on the importance of harnessing AI, navigating geopolitical tensions and securing the Digital Future.
He revealed an alarming statistic: the UAE is facing more than 200,000 daily cyberattacks, with government entities being the most targeted. Robust measures are being taken, he said, and with the advent of the fifth industrial revolution, cybersecurity must evolve to tackle the threats posed by AI tools. He highlighted human-data interfaces, autonomous systems and AI governance and digital ethics as key areas that the industry needs to rapidly review.
He said: 'Cybersecurity has become an integral part of everything that we do, and the UAE is already moving towards becoming an AI-nation in cybersecurity. There are so many great pillars as part of our UAE National Cybersecurity Strategy that focus on governance, innovation, defence and protection – all of which remain vital [for the future].'
'It's businesses versus cybercriminals, but with the right strategy, the industry can win'
Renowned cybersecurity expert and entrepreneur, Eugene Kaspersky, CEO and founder of Kaspersky, was among the speakers to take to the stage. Addressing the audience, he described AI as a tool that is benefiting both cybercriminals and businesses, but emphasised that greater efforts need to be implemented by organisations to help build a safe AI-driven future.
He said: 'We are living in a world where it's very much AI vs AI - defence against attack.'
'With that said, the world is interconnected through digitalisation and is part of every aspect of our everyday lives. Using AI will only take that to the next level and will make things faster and better.
'However, unfortunately, we are facing issues with cybercrime, and that can stop us from using AI globally, but the good news is that cybersecurity companies are investing and working on immunity that will make future systems impeccable and secure, which can help us take the next stage.'
Attendees also gained a fascinating insight into Dubai's ongoing commitment to protecting the emirate digitally at a time when it is accelerating its efforts to become a 'smart' city.
During his presentation, Faisal Abdulaziz, Director of the Cybersecurity Threat Center of Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC), highlighted the work the organisation is doing to embed cybersecurity into every layer of Dubai's digital transformation, safeguarding the city's smart services, critical infrastructure and digital economy – with a key focus on talent development.
Another speaker to address the audience was Aarti Borkar, CVP of Security, Customers Success and Incident Response at Microsoft. She revealed that 80 per cent of leaders cited leakage of sensitive data as their main concern, while 88 per cent of organisations are concerned about indirect prompt injection attacks, emphasising the importance of secure and resilient infrastructure.
'Success in AI is defined by your practical techniques and security must come above all else,' she said.
'[When it comes to building safe systems], you must plan the final stage as a perfect solution that you can use and then create milestones on how you get there. Then work on the thing that will hurt the most first, and then gradually the next element. Every day, you have to move towards the next step of being safe and staying compliant, so we can use AI safely and efficiently.'
The event has brought together some of the leading players in the industry, including Huawei, AWS, Microsoft, Google Cloud Security, CISCO, Deloitte, Kaspersky, Check Point, Cloudflare and Honeywell, alongside groundbreaking cybersecurity companies Spire Solutions, CPX, CyberKnight, LinkShadow, OPSWAT, Qualys, CrowdStrike and StrikeReady.
GISEC Global 2025, which is hosted by the UAE Cyber Security Council, supported by DESC, the UAE Ministry of Interior and Dubai Police, will continue on Wednesday with more engaging panel discussions and thought-provoking debates on AI's pressing issues from weaponised large language models (LLMs) to next-gen AI-powered defences.
To learn more about GISEC Global 2025, visit www.gisec.ae
About GISEC Global
GISEC Global, Middle East & Africa's largest and most impactful cybersecurity event, will return to Dubai World Trade Centre for its 14th edition taking place from 6th to 8th May 2025, under the overarching theme of 'Securing an AI-Powered Future.' Following the monumental success of 2024, the super-connector event for the region's cybersecurity industry will bring together over 25,000 attendees, 750 exhibiting brands and 350-plus speakers hailing from over 160 countries. GISEC Global stands as the unrivalled platform for navigating the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity. More information: www.gisec.ae
About Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC):
A global business facilitator since 1979, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) is home to the region's leading purpose-built convention and exhibition centre. DWTC provides a platform for connecting people, products, innovation and ideas from around the world through a dynamic calendar of international trade exhibitions and its own roster of sector-leading mega events. As a designated free zone, complemented by award-winning commercial real estate, DWTC plays an integral role in Dubai and the region's growth story. Since its inauguration, DWTC has hosted over 6,000 events, with an estimated economic output of AED 248 billion, attracting over 38 million business visitors to Dubai.
Building on this legacy, DWTC's second flagship venue, the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), stands as a premier destination for prominent national and international mega events. Strategically aligned with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, DEC's recently announced AED 10 billion expansion is integral to Expo City Dubai's vision of becoming a global business hub for exhibitions and events.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Business
2 hours ago
- Arabian Business
Lenovo's Saudi expansion to add $10bn to non-oil GDP with new Riyadh HQ in Al Majdoul Tower
Lenovo has confirmed plans to establish its Regional Headquarters (RHQ) in Riyadh's Al Majdoul Tower and unveiled its new executive leadership team for Saudi Arabia and, a move the company says will contribute up to $10bn to the Kingdom's non-oil GDP by 2030. The announcement marks a key milestone in Lenovo's Middle East growth strategy and reinforces its long-term commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, digital transformation, and industrial diversification goals. The RHQ will serve as Lenovo's regional hub, housing operations in R&D, retail, marketing, partnerships, and customer engagement, while positioning the global tech giant at the heart of Riyadh's innovation ecosystem. Lenovo in Saudi Arabia Al Majdoul Tower is already home to several PIF entities, ministries, and technology companies, placing Lenovo at the centre of Saudi Arabia's transformation drive. Lenovo's strategy in Saudi Arabia is closely tied to its collaboration with ALAT, a Public Investment Fund (PIF)-owned company. Together, they broke ground in February 2025 on a 200,000sqm advanced manufacturing facility in the Riyadh Integrated zone, operated by the Special Integrated Logistics Zone (SILZ). Expected to be operational by 2026, the plant will produce millions of 'Saudi Made' devices and, combined with the RHQ, is projected to add up to $10bn to Saudi Arabia's non-oil GDP by 2030. Matt Dobrodziej, Senior Vice President and President, Lenovo EMEA, said: 'The confirmation of Al Majdoul Tower as the future location of Lenovo's Regional Headquarters, alongside the appointment of our new executive leadership team for Saudi Arabia and RHQ, marks a major milestone in our regional strategy. 'Through our strategic partnership with ALAT and investment in advanced manufacturing, we are proud to contribute to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 by supporting industrial diversification, accelerating digital transformation, and enabling sustainable economic growth. 'Our initiatives in Saudi Arabia, including the RHQ, flagship retail space, and the Riyadh-based manufacturing facility are projected to contribute up to $10bn to non-oil GDP by 2030, reinforcing our commitment to the Kingdom's long-term development.' To drive this expansion, Lenovo has named a new leadership team: Lawrence Yu, Head of Regional Headquarters: A Lenovo veteran of 15 years who helped secure the ALAT partnership and Riyadh site Giovanni Di Filippo, Vice President and General Manager, Lenovo Saudi Arabia: Previously grew Lenovo's EMEA ISG market share from 6 per cent to 14 per cent Zoran Radumilo, Chief Technology Officer, Lenovo Saudi Arabia: A 25-year enterprise technology leader with expertise in AI, cloud, and software The RHQ in Riyadh will anchor Lenovo's broader regional strategy, including a flagship retail store, VIP customer centre, and new innovation hubs, while strengthening ties with government and enterprise clients across priority sectors such as energy, telecom, finance, and smart cities. Together with the Riyadh manufacturing facility, these initiatives position Lenovo as a long-term partner in the Kingdome's digital and industrial transformation.
Al Etihad
2 hours ago
- Al Etihad
ADNEC Group awarded UAE Year of Sustainability Seal for landmark progress on green initiatives
21 Aug 2025 00:54 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)ADNEC Group has been officially recognised with the 'Plan to Action: Year of Sustainability's Seal' for its tangible, data-backed achievements in environmental stewardship and sustainable innovation. The award was granted following a national open call to UAE-based organisations demonstrating measurable, creative, and community-driven sustainability efforts aligned with the goals of the Year of Sustainability seal, awarded through the UAE's Year of Sustainability initiative, marks a continuation of the national drive to embed sustainable actions across all sectors. This year's focus shifted from learning to doing, encouraging organisations to act across four areas: green transport, energy and water conservation, responsible consumption, and planting wisely. ADNEC Group's submission was recognised for its ambitious, system-wide sustainability efforts. ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi is now fully powered by clean energy - sourced from solar, wind, and nuclear - through a Clean Energy Trade Agreement with EWEC. This offsets all electricity-related carbon emissions via International Renewable Energy Certificates (IRECs) accredited by the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, making it the first and largest event venue in the Middle East to achieve this milestone. In parallel, the group has introduced AI-driven HVAC systems at the venue, projected to reduce annual electricity consumption by 20%, or approximately 6 million kilowatt reduction and circularity have become central to the group's operations. More than half of all waste across ADNEC Group's business clusters is now recycled, and, the catering arm of the ADNEC Group, Capital Catering's facilities process up to 1,200 kg of food waste per day into compost or a dry soil enhancer. Used cooking oil is also converted into biodiesel. Meanwhile, TerraTile - a 100% recycled, modular flooring system developed with Terrax -turns event waste into durable flooring, offering a recyclable, UAE-made alternative to conventional stand materials. Additionally, when TerraTiles reach the end of their life cycle, they, in turn, can be recycled to produce new engagement was a key element of ADNEC Group's application. Through partnerships with Tadweer, Ne'ma, and the UAE Red Crescent, the group donates unserved food, expands public awareness campaigns, and encourages responsible waste behaviours at 2024, ADNEC Group contributed Dh8.566 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) to Abu Dhabi's economy, marking a significant increase from Dh7.4 billion in 2023. The group also supported more than 62,000 jobs across the UAE - up from approximately 51,000 the previous year. Additionally, employee volunteerism nearly doubled year-on-year, with total volunteer hours reaching close to 27,000 in 2024 compared to 13,000 in 2023, underscoring ADNEC Group's growing social and economic recognition from the Year of Sustainability reflects ADNEC Group's broader Net Zero strategy, which includes a full assessment of Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions and a defined transition plan aiming for a 25% reduction in carbon footprint per employee by 2030. ADNEC Group has also awarded a rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) project at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, expected to generate more than 8.5 million kilowatt hours of renewable energy in its first year.
The National
3 hours ago
- The National
Fed minutes: Inflation outweighs employment concerns in divided decision
Federal Reserve officials were concerned in July about the effect that tariffs would have on inflation and unemployment, although minutes released from the meeting showed on Wednesday that a large majority found it too soon to begin cutting interest rates. The minutes underscored the division within the central bank, which voted to maintain its target interest rate range at 4.25 to 4.50 per cent despite two Fed officials voting to reduce the rate. The UAE Central Bank, which follows the Fed's decisions due to the dollar peg, also maintained rates after the announcement on July 30. The July meeting minutes showed 'almost all' Fed officials supported the decision. US President Donald Trump's tariff agenda has weighed heavily on the Fed this year. Officials entered last month's meeting debating whether tariffs would have a greater impact on inflation, which still remains above the Fed's 2 per cent target, or on its employment mandate. The minutes appeared to suggested that Fed governors Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman – two Trump appointments reported to be in consideration as the next Fed chief – were alone in their dissent. 'A majority of participants judged the upside risk to inflation as the greater of these two risks, while several participants viewed the two risks as roughly balanced, and a couple of participants considered downside risk to employment the more salient risk,' the minutes read. Fed chairman Jerome Powell delivered a hawkish sentiment when speaking to reporters after the decision, suggesting that the Fed could continue to delay cutting rates as it awaited further clarity on how tariffs would affect inflation. 'When we have risks to both goals, and one of them is farther away from goal than the other, and that's inflation, that means policy should be tight, because tight policy is what brings inflation down,' Mr Powell said at the time. A dismal jobs report released two days after the meeting drastically changed the rate-cut calculus expected to play out later this year. The report showed that not only had employers added fewer jobs than expected in July, but significant downwards revisions from previous months pointed to signs of a weakening labour market. Adding to the mixed messages the Fed has received, underlying inflation data has also come in hotter than expected since July. The report from the Bureau of Labour and Statistics showed that prices for imported items such as household furnishing, apparel and recreational goods all increased last month, while medical care services and airfare prices were also higher than previous. Wholesale inflation data also saw its biggest increase in three years in July, in another sign that companies are raising their prices to offset higher costs. Those reports have done little to dent expectations of a September rate cut, however. About 83 per cent of traders believe the Fed will resuming cutting rates next month, according to the CME Group's FedWatch tool, before reducing policy again in December. 'The labour market will be the swing factor on whether the Fed cuts interest rates in September or not,' Oxford Economics chief US economist Ryan Sweet wrote to clients. The minutes come at a crucial time for Mr Powell, who is due to deliver a keynote address at the annual Jackson Hole symposium in Wyoming on Friday. Mr Powell will deliver the highly anticipated speech under pressure on several fronts from Mr Trump, the two dissenting Fed governors and the looming arrival of a key Trump ally to the Federal Reserve board. Friday's address during the annual gathering, attended by central bankers from around the world, is expected to include Mr Powell's short-term and long-term views on monetary policy. Earlier on Wednesday, Mr Trump opened a new line of attack on the US central bank, calling for the resignation of Fed governor Lisa Cook after one of his allies accused her of mortgage fraud. Ms Cook's term as Fed governor expires in 2038. Together they, along with a rotating group of regional fed bank presidents, make up the Federal Open Market Committee that sets its interest rates. The move follows a pattern of attempts by Mr Trump to exert control of the Fed, whose independence is generally considered sacrosanct among economists and policymakers
