Security leaders to unite and advance sector at Riyadh conference
More than just a conference, the Security Middle East Conference offers a unique platform built on three core pillars:
Networking: Forge Strategic Alliances
Attendees will have unparalleled opportunities to connect with key stakeholders, establish crucial business contacts, forge strategic alliances and develop partnerships that will shape the future of security in the Middle East.
Education: Elevate Skills and Knowledge
Attendees will gain actionable insights and cutting-edge knowledge to implement in their roles from a dynamic agenda featuring insightful keynote addresses from global thought leaders like Dr. Khalid Koser, executive director, Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund, and Dr. Faisal Alfouzan, director of cybersecurity at Absher. There will also be engaging panel discussions with regional experts including representatives from International Maritime Industries, King Salman Park Foundation, Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, FIFA, and Diriyah Company; practical workshops led by ICON Training Co. and others; and interactive live podcasts and tech stage presentations from leading providers including NEDAP, Limitless Technologies, Magnet Forensics, and PureTech Systems.
Future: Uncover Trends and Drive Innovation
The conference will delve into the future of security, exploring emerging threats, the integration of AI and the security implications of mega-projects. Live technology demonstrations will offer a firsthand look at the innovative solutions shaping tomorrow's security landscape.
Attendees can further elevate their expertise by participating in a dedicated two-day masterclass led by Nadeem Iqbal, director at IFPO MENASA and global advisory board member (business growth and strategy). This intensive workshop titled 'Align security with your organization's business DNA!,' will equip security professionals with the strategies to seamlessly integrate security efforts with overarching business objectives, driving long-term success and operational excellence.
The Security Middle East Conference is supported by leading industry organizations including the Information Security Forum, The Security Institute and the International Foundation for Protection Officers, and sponsored by innovative companies including Magnet Forensics, Limitless Technologies, ThreatLocker, Convergint, Eagle Eye Networks, CTF Consoles, PureTech Systems, Allied Telesis, ICON Training, Comm Port, and NEDAP.
The event offers a vital platform for security leaders to collaborate, learn and shape the future of the industry in the Middle East.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
2 days ago
- Arab News
SAMA's report signals economic resilience and financial strength
The Saudi Central Bank or SAMA released its monthly statistical bulletin for June 2025, offering vital insights into the Kingdom's financial health, banking sector performance, and key macroeconomic indicators. The report highlighted the continued stability of the banking sector and the expansion of electronic payments, aligning with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. As of June 2025, SAMA maintained a solid financial standing, with total assets rising to SR1.96 trillion ($522 billion), compared to SR1.89 trillion ($505 billion) a year earlier, representing an increase 3.3 percent year-on-year growth. Money Supply (M3) surged from SR2.90 trillion ($773 billion) in June 2024 to SR3.1 trillion ($832 billion) in June 2025, representing an increase of 8 percent. The increase is driven by credit growth and economic activity. Reserve assets stood at approximately SR 1.72 trillion ($457.7 billion) in June 2025, reflecting a 2.2 percent decline from SR 1.75 trillion ($467.8 billion) in June 2024. In June 2025, total banking assets in Saudi Arabia reached SR 4.8 trillion ($1.3 trillion), reflecting robust growth compared to the same period of the previous year. However, deposit growth lagged credit expansion, as reflected in the increase of the loan to deposit ratio to 81.63 percent compared to 79.29 percent in the same period of the previous year. This prompted banks to diversify their funding sources through increased bond issuances and external borrowings. Despite these pressures on funding, lending activity remained strong, with claims on the private sector reaching approximately SR 3.1 trillion ($815.3 billion). Mortgages continued their steady rise, reaching SR 922 billion ($246 billion), further supporting key housing development initiatives. The banking sector sustained robust capital adequacy ratios, well above regulatory thresholds, with reserve buffers remaining healthy. Profitability also strengthened, as aggregate net income (before Zakat and taxes) rose to SR51 billion ($13.6 billion) in June 2025, up from SR 42.5 billion ($11.3 billion) a year earlier—an increase of approximately 20 percent year-on-year. Credit facilities extended to SMEs reached SR383.2 billion ($102.2 billion) in Q1 2025, reflecting a 30.6 percent year-on-year increase. As Vision 2030 initiatives accelerate, SAMA's data underscores a stable and resilient financial foundation capable of supporting long-term economic diversification and development. Talat Zaki Hafiz Financial soundness indicators of the sector as of Q1 2025 continued to reflect the strength of the banking sector, with the regulatory capital-to-risk-weighted assets ratio at a robust 19.2 percent - well above the minimum thresholds set by Basel. Electronic payments continued to gain strong momentum in June 2025, reflecting growing consumer adoption and ongoing digital transformation in the Kingdom's financial sector. The number of point-of-sale terminals rose to 2.1 million, up from 1.8 million in June 2024, indicating broader merchant acceptance. Concurrently, POS sales reached SR54 billion ($14.4 billion), while the number of transactions surged to 919 million — demonstrating increased usage, efficiency, and trust in digital payment channels. E-commerce transactions using Mada cards recorded strong growth in June 2025 compared to the same period last year, with total sales reaching approximately SR26 billion ($6.9 billion). The number of transactions also increased significantly to 141.6 million, up from 88.8 million in June 2024 — reflecting rising consumer reliance on digital payment channels for online purchases. The average monthly average of market interest rate benchmark (3-month SAIBOR declined to 5.4805 percent in June 2025, down from 6.2675 percent a year earlier, reflecting easing liquidity conditions. Similarly, the Repo and Reverse Repo rates were reduced to 5.0 percent and 4.5 percent, respectively, indicating a more accommodative monetary policy stance. In conclusion, the June 2025 bulletin highlights the continued strength of SAMA's financial position and the resilience of the banking sector. This performance reflects the prudence of SAMA's regulatory oversight and the competence of bank management in navigating evolving global and domestic dynamics. As Vision 2030 initiatives accelerate, SAMA's data underscores a stable and resilient financial foundation capable of supporting long-term economic diversification and development. The banking sector's strong asset growth, robust capital and liquidity buffers, and expanding private sector credit highlight its pivotal role in advancing the Kingdom's economic transformation. Overall, the banking sector's strong asset growth, sound capital and liquidity positions, and continued expansion in private sector lending reinforce its critical role in supporting the Kingdom's economic progress. The bulletin successfully highlighted the continued momentum in supporting SME growth and enhancing their access to financing, as part of broader efforts toward economic diversification. It also successfully highlighted the growth in electronic transactions in line with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to transition Saudi society to a non-cash economy by 2030. This progress is reflected in achieving a 79 percent increase last year of electronic transactions, surpassing the original target of 70 percent set for 2030. • Talat Zaki Hafiz is an economist and financial analyst. X:@TalatHafiz
Leaders
3 days ago
- Leaders
Economic Family Association Unveils 2025–2030 Strategic Plan
The Economic Family Association has officially launched its 2025–2030 strategy during a ceremony in Riyadh, attended by key figures from both the social and economic sectors. The new strategy is built on five foundational pillars: alignment with Saudi Vision 2030, commitment to societal values, addressing current challenges, leveraging available opportunities, and strengthening the nonprofit brand while reinforcing trust in the association's capacity for growth and expansion. Nasser bin Faleh Al-Gharbi, Chairman of the Board of Directors, emphasized that the strategy reflects the association's ambition to lead a transformative shift that boosts the resilience and sustainability of economic families. A central goal is to raise the nonprofit sector's contribution to Saudi Arabia's non-oil GDP to 5%. Al-Gharbi also highlighted that the strategy will empower economic families and drive change through five key focus areas: raising awareness, fostering empowerment, inspiring motivation, building trust, and enhancing innovation and competitiveness. Related Topics: ZATCA Announces 19th Wave of E-Invoicing Integration Hajj 2025: SDAIA Boosts Makkah Route Initiative with Technical Services Ivorian Hajj Pilgrims Applaud Makkah Route Initiative Makkah Route Initiative: Saudi Arabia Streamlines Luggage Handling for Pilgrims – Video Short link : Post Views: 7 Related Stories
Asharq Al-Awsat
5 days ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi KAUST's Center of Excellence for Renewable Energy Advances Energy Innovation
Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), through its Center of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Storage Technologies (CREST), has launched initiatives to support innovation in energy fields, in alignment with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to transition toward a knowledge-based economy and build sustainable development. These efforts include transforming new ideas into practical solutions, developing prototypes of KAUST inventions and ensuring their reliability, and scaling up these prototypes through collaboration with local and international partners, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Monday. KAUST has leveraged the center's research to boost energy security, reduce environmental impact, create new job opportunities for youth, and continue advancing education, training, and workforce development. These steps aim to support and localize renewable energy research, boost academic and industrial collaboration, and position the center as a leading research hub and a preferred destination for students, researchers, and faculty members. CREST Chair Professor Husam Alshareef stressed that the center's research, focused on prototype development and technology scaling, enhances energy efficiency, reliability, storage, and sustainability. Many projects are based on innovative technologies developed at KAUST in cooperation with industrial partners. These include advanced photovoltaic cells and new battery chemistries that reduce cooling requirements and fire risks in harsh conditions, as well as lithium extraction and battery recycling to ensure a stable lithium supply and enhance the Kingdom's battery sector, he added. The center conducts research on sustainable cooling technologies aimed at improving the performance of electronic devices such as solar panels and LED lights, thereby extending their lifespan, he went on to say. Additional research includes storing energy in chemical fuels and generating electricity, testing and modeling energy storage technologies, and integrating them across disciplines within the university by merging research strategies involving experts in chemistry, engineering, and software development, he revealed.
