Data Privacy Day: Safeguarding the Future in the Middle East
This World Data Privacy Day, industry leaders from various technology companies have come together to highlight the urgent need for enhanced data protection in our increasingly interconnected world. Johnny Karam, Managing Director and Vice President for International Emerging Markets at Cohesity emphasizes that the current cybersecurity landscape has dramatically changed, with daily cyberattacks in the UAE increasing from 50,000 to over 200,000, according to His Excellency Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government, speaking at GITEX 2024. This surge necessitates a shift from traditional cybersecurity methods to more advanced solutions like AI-driven threat simulations and quantum-resilient encryption methods to protect sensitive data. Johnny Karam, Managing Director and Vice President for International Emerging Markets at Cohesity
Karam also underscores the significance of aligning with the UAE's ethical AI policies and National Cybersecurity Strategy to foster innovation while ensuring robust security. Adopting proactive measures and ethical AI practices not only safeguard critical systems but also foster trust and support sustainable growth in today's digital era. He advises that organizations implement protocols such as immutable data security to provide an additional layer of protection against ransomware attacks, data breaches, and financial losses. Ahmad Shakora, Group Vice President of Emerging Markets at Cloudera
Similarly, Ahmad Shakora, Group Vice President of Emerging Markets at Cloudera, highlights the paradox businesses face: leveraging analytics to drive innovation while safeguarding individual privacy. As AI adoption outpaces regulations, Shakora argues that it's imperative for organizations to embed privacy into their operations, covering data from collection to deletion. It's vital to not only comply with laws but to ensure privacy is intrinsic to the business process.
Shakora calls for proactive steps such as building secure-by-design systems, training staff on privacy priorities, and cultivating a culture of transparency. In an evolving AI landscape, businesses that earn and maintain customer trust will lead the way in the digital age where trust acts as crucial currency. Louise Bou Rached, Regional Director of META at Milestone Systems
Louise Bou Rached, Regional Director of META at Milestone Systems, points out that the alarming daily average of 200,000 cyberattacks in the UAE demands robust data protection more than ever. She stresses that Data Privacy Day serves as a crucial reminder of the responsibilities in our data-driven world. According to Rached, the Middle East's rapid digital adoption necessitates a delicate balance between innovation and privacy, requiring organizations to embed privacy-by-design principles and invest in technologies that can safeguard data while maintaining efficiency and trust.
Rached argues that individuals can contribute to data security by managing privacy settings and sharing information responsibly. On an organizational level, privacy should be viewed as a business imperative, she says, highlighting the importance of clear communication, responsible data handling, and vendor oversight to maintain trust and protect individual rights. Education and collaboration across the industry are essential to handle the complexity of data ethics responsibly, ultimately fostering a future where innovation and privacy coexist.
Edwin Weijdema, Field CTO EMEA & Cybersecurity Lead at Veeam Software, remarks that Data Privacy Day is an opportunity to reflect on the significant changes in cybersecurity regulations over the past year. He notes the increasing importance of corporate accountability for data resilience, especially with regulations like NIS2. Weijdema believes that data resilience is shifting from a cybersecurity requirement to a critical business differentiator, as organizations must be prepared to demonstrate their data resilience efforts to executives and third-party partners, reflecting an awareness driven by persistent breach and ransomware threats. Emilie Kuijt, DPO at AppsFlyer
Emilie Kuijt, DPO at AppsFlyer, acknowledges the challenge and opportunity that online privacy represents for brands in 2025 as technological advancements continue to outpace regulatory frameworks. Kuijt stresses that consumers are more conscious of their data usage than ever before, prompting companies to adapt by adopting Privacy-Enhancing Technologies and embedding privacy-by-design principles to meet evolving legislative requirements and consumer expectations. To succeed, brands must prioritize transparency with explicit cookie policies, offer genuine customer choices without coercion, and respect data subject requests, advocating for a clear focus on building trust and fostering lasting customer relationships.
Overall, this Data Privacy Day serves as a crucial reminder of the ever-evolving landscape of data protection and the continuous efforts required to uphold privacy. By adopting innovative and ethical practices, organizations can not only safeguard sensitive information but also foster trust, ensure operational continuity, and drive sustainable growth in an increasingly data-driven world. 0 0
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