Latest news with #NedBaltagi
Channel Post MEA
4 days ago
- Business
- Channel Post MEA
SANS Institute To Host SANS Riyadh Cyber Leaders In August 2025
SANS Institute, a leader in cybersecurity training and certification returns with SANS Riyadh Cyber Leaders from August 24 to 28, 2025 at the Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya. The five day event offers intensive leadership and technical training, empowering security managers and SOC leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate the ever-evolving threat landscape. Saudi Arabia has secured its position as a global leader in cybersecurity, ranking first in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook's 2025 cybersecurity indicator. This achievement reflects the efforts of the National Cybersecurity Authority and the Saudi Information Technology Company (SITE), whose partnership has strengthened the Kingdom's cyber resilience, supported technology localization, and encouraged international collaboration. 'Saudi Arabia's position as a global cybersecurity leader is no coincidence, it's the result of strategic vision and long term commitment,' said Ned Baltagi, Managing Director, Middle East, Africa, and Turkey, at SANS Institute. 'At SANS, we're proud to support this progress by bringing world-class training to Riyadh through our Cyber Leaders event, helping to develop the next generation of cybersecurity leadership in the Kingdom.' The SANS Riyadh training event will feature a series of specialized courses tailored for security leaders, including LDR512: Security Leadership Essentials for Managers designed to help security professionals develop strategic planning and leadership capabilities, LDR514: Security Strategic Planning, Policy, and Leadership, which equips participants with the tools to build a comprehensive cybersecurity strategic plan and IT security policy, and lead teams through effective implementation and LDR551: Building and Leading Security Operations Centers, a course that covers the end-to-end process of building and managing a SOC, with a focus on aligning operations to an organization's risk profile and goals. The courses feature 17 hands-on labs and Cyber42 interactive leadership simulations to reinforce practical learning and are available In-Person in Riyadh or Live Online. Additionally, SANS Institute will host the Cyber Leaders Community Night Talk on August 25, from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM, during the SANS Riyadh 2025 event. Led by expert instructor Jan D'Herdt, the session will focus on Detecting Cryptocurrency Mining in Corporate Environments, highlighting the risks of unauthorized crypto mining and its impact on enterprise networks. The session also offers a valuable opportunity for local InfoSec professionals to gain practical insights and strategies for identifying and mitigating this growing threat. You can also join this Night Talk virtually by logging in with your SANS Account.
Web Release
07-08-2025
- Business
- Web Release
SANS Institute Returns with Fourth Edition of SANS Cyber Leaders Forum to Riyadh this August
SANS Institute, the global leader in cybersecurity training and certification returns with SANS Riyadh Cyber Leaders from August 24 to 28, 2025 at the Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya. The five day event offers intensive leadership and technical training, empowering security managers and SOC leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate the ever-evolving threat landscape. Saudi Arabia has secured its position as a global leader in cybersecurity, ranking first in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook's 2025 cybersecurity indicator. This achievement reflects the efforts of the National Cybersecurity Authority and the Saudi Information Technology Company (SITE), whose partnership has strengthened the Kingdom's cyber resilience, supported technology localization, and encouraged international collaboration. 'Saudi Arabia's position as a global cybersecurity leader is no coincidence, it's the result of strategic vision and long term commitment,' said Ned Baltagi, Managing Director, Middle East, Africa, and Turkey, at SANS Institute. 'At SANS, we're proud to support this progress by bringing world-class training to Riyadh through our Cyber Leaders event, helping to develop the next generation of cybersecurity leadership in the Kingdom.' The SANS Riyadh training event will feature a series of specialized courses tailored for security leaders, including LDR512: Security Leadership Essentials for Managers designed to help security professionals develop strategic planning and leadership capabilities, LDR514: Security Strategic Planning, Policy, and Leadership™, which equips participants with the tools to build a comprehensive cybersecurity strategic plan and IT security policy, and lead teams through effective implementation and LDR551: Building and Leading Security Operations Centers™, a course that covers the end-to-end process of building and managing a SOC, with a focus on aligning operations to an organization's risk profile and goals. The courses feature 17 hands-on labs and Cyber42 interactive leadership simulations to reinforce practical learning and are available In-Person in Riyadh or Live Online. Additionally, SANS Institute will host the Cyber Leaders Community Night Talk on August 25, from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM, during the SANS Riyadh 2025 event. Led by expert instructor Jan D'Herdt, the session will focus on Detecting Cryptocurrency Mining in Corporate Environments, highlighting the risks of unauthorized crypto mining and its impact on enterprise networks. The session also offers a valuable opportunity for local InfoSec professionals to gain practical insights and strategies for identifying and mitigating this growing threat. You can also join this Night Talk virtually by logging in with your SANS Account. For more information and to register for SANS Riyadh Cyber Leaders August 2025 in person or online, please visit: – To register for the SANS Riyadh Cyber Leaders August 2025 Community Night Talk, please visit:
Al Bawaba
07-08-2025
- Business
- Al Bawaba
SANS Institute Returns with Fourth Edition of SANS Cyber Leaders Forum to Riyadh this August
SANS Institute, the global leader in cybersecurity training and certification returns with SANS Riyadh Cyber Leaders from August 24 to 28, 2025 at the Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya. The five day event offers intensive leadership and technical training, empowering security managers and SOC leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate the ever-evolving threat Arabia has secured its position as a global leader in cybersecurity, ranking first in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook's 2025 cybersecurity indicator. This achievement reflects the efforts of the National Cybersecurity Authority and the Saudi Information Technology Company (SITE), whose partnership has strengthened the Kingdom's cyber resilience, supported technology localization, and encouraged international collaboration.'Saudi Arabia's position as a global cybersecurity leader is no coincidence, it's the result of strategic vision and long term commitment,' said Ned Baltagi, Managing Director, Middle East, Africa, and Turkey, at SANS Institute. 'At SANS, we're proud to support this progress by bringing world-class training to Riyadh through our Cyber Leaders event, helping to develop the next generation of cybersecurity leadership in the Kingdom.' The SANS Riyadh training event will feature a series of specialized courses tailored for security leaders, including LDR512: Security Leadership Essentials for Managers designed to help security professionals develop strategic planning and leadership capabilities, LDR514: Security Strategic Planning, Policy, and Leadership™, which equips participants with the tools to build a comprehensive cybersecurity strategic plan and IT security policy, and lead teams through effective implementation and LDR551: Building and Leading Security Operations Centers™, a course that covers the end-to-end process of building and managing a SOC, with a focus on aligning operations to an organization's risk profile and goals. The courses feature 17 hands-on labs and Cyber42 interactive leadership simulations to reinforce practical learning and are available In-Person in Riyadh or Live Online. Additionally, SANS Institute will host the Cyber Leaders Community Night Talk on August 25, from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM, during the SANS Riyadh 2025 event. Led by expert instructor Jan D'Herdt, the session will focus on Detecting Cryptocurrency Mining in Corporate Environments, highlighting the risks of unauthorized crypto mining and its impact on enterprise networks. The session also offers a valuable opportunity for local InfoSec professionals to gain practical insights and strategies for identifying and mitigating this growing threat. You can also join this Night Talk virtually by logging in with your SANS Account.
Tahawul Tech
09-05-2025
- Business
- Tahawul Tech
SANS Institute to host two cybersecurity training events in May
SANS Institute, the global leader in cybersecurity training and certifications, has announced two major training events in the United Arab Emirates this May: SANS Abu Dhabi May 2025 (May 18-23) and SANS Dubai May 2025 (May 25-30). The events offer a selection of world-class courses tailored to help cybersecurity professionals across the Middle East sharpen their skills and stay ahead of today's most advanced threats. The UAE's cybersecurity landscape is under growing pressure, with over 223,800 exposed assets and half of all critical vulnerabilities left unpatched for more than five years. According to the 2025 State of the UAE Cybersecurity Report, misconfigurations and improper usage are driving most incidents, while AI-powered threats like phishing and deepfakes are becoming more common. As government, finance, and energy sectors remain key targets, strengthening cyber resilience is now a national priority. 'The UAE's rapid digital growth has positioned the country as a prime target for increasingly sophisticated cyber threats', said Ned Baltagi, Managing Director for the Middle East, Africa and Türkiye, SANS Institute. 'By offering practical, mission-focused training in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, we're enabling teams to level up their capabilities, from ICS and forensics to red teaming and auditing – and build a stronger defence posture that meets the needs of 2025 and beyond'. SANS Abu Dhabi May 2025 Taking place at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi, from May 18-23, SANS Abu Dhabi May 2025 offers the following courses: ICS410: ICS/SCADA Security Essentials FOR572: Advanced Network Forensics: Threat Hunting, Analysis, and Incident Response SEC670: Red Teaming Tools – Developing Windows Implants, Shellcode, Command and Control In addition to training courses, SANS will host a Community Night session on 'Tales from the Cryptography' on May 19 (5:30pm–6:30pm GST). This free evening talk, open to all cybersecurity enthusiasts, will highlight real-world cryptographic failures from 2024 – from open-source libraries to Fortune 500 codebases – and offer practical insights into why cryptography remains a critical, yet misunderstood, area of cybersecurity. For more information and to register for SANS Abu Dhabi May 2025, visit: To attend the SANS Abu Dhabi May 2025 Community Night, visit: SANS Dubai May 2025 SANS Dubai May 2025 will take place from May 25-30 at the Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah, where participants can register for the following courses: SEC565: Red Team Operations and Adversary Emulation SEC566: Implementing and Auditing CIS Controls SEC511: Cybersecurity Engineering: Advanced Threat Detection and Monitoring SANS Dubai will also feature a Community Night session on Monday, May 26 (5:30pm–6:30pm GST): 'Same Findings, Different Organisation'. The talk will shed light on recurring vulnerabilities across companies and industries, raising tough questions about whether organisations are truly improving their security posture. For more information and to register for SANS Dubai May 2025, visit: To attend the SANS Dubai May 2025 Community Night, visit: Both events will be led by SANS-certified instructors with years of real-world experience, offering participants globally respected GIAC certifications, practical labs, and case studies. Whether attending virtually or in person, professionals will leave with actionable skills that can be immediately applied in their roles. Image Credit: SANS Institute
Gulf Today
07-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
GISEC is a global hub for cybersecurity innovation and collaboration: Experts
The first day of the GISEC Global 2025 has once again positioned Dubai at the heart of global cybersecurity discussions. Now in its 14th edition, the three-day event, taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre, has become a key platform for advancing cybersecurity dialogue and innovation. Top global cybersecurity enterprises, government officials, CISOs, and experts from leading corporates in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, are showcasing cutting-edge solutions, exchanging frontline insights, and forging strategic alliances aimed at strengthening cyber defenses across borders and industries. UAE's Strategic Cybersecurity Vision: The UAE is widely regarded as a global leader in cybersecurity, thanks to its forward-thinking policies and national strategies designed to strengthen its digital infrastructure. This vision is underpinned by initiatives like Cyber Sniper, which upskills local talent, and the Dubai Electronic Security Center's cybersecurity index, which ensures organizations adhere to strict security guidelines. Ned Baltagi, Managing Director for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa at SANS Institute, shared his thoughts on the UAE's proactive approach to cybersecurity. Baltagi said: "The UAE's forward-thinking cybersecurity policies and national strategies are setting a global example. By aligning with frameworks like SCyWF and investing in programmes that develop homegrown talent, the UAE is building a sustainable cybersecurity ecosystem." He further emphasized that the SANS Cyber Academies are instrumental in developing local talent through industry-aligned training and certifications, helping to bridge skills gaps and enhance regional resilience. Cybersecurity Innovation: One of the key themes discussed on the first day was the increasing role of AI in both driving cyberattacks and advancing cybersecurity defenses. With AI-powered threats becoming faster, more targeted, and harder to detect, the cybersecurity community is responding by leveraging AI to enhance defensive measures. Sujoy Banerjee, Associate Director at ManageEngine, highlighted the growing complexity of cyber threats and the need for evolving regulatory frameworks to address them. He stated, "Although AI is intended to ease the burdens of organizations today, it has turned out to be a menace. Becoming an ally for bad actors, AI introduces potential (and scalable) cyber risks into the picture in the form of fake websites, hyper-realistic phishing attempts, and much more." Banerjee also called for updated policies and guidelines to combat AI-specific threats, such as data poisoning and misuse of AI agents, which could undermine traditional cybersecurity defenses. Endorsing a similar view, Meriam ElOuazzani, Senior Regional Director for META at SentinelOne, said. "GISEC plays a pivotal role in advancing the region's cybersecurity landscape by uniting global innovation with regional ambition. It's where the region shapes its cyber resilience blueprint and asserts its leadership on the global stage." ElOuazzani spoke about the significance of agentic AI, a technology that autonomously triages alerts, investigates threats, and triggers full-loop remediation workflows. This innovation is changing the paradigm from reactive security to proactive defense, ensuring faster response times and stronger protection. The Growing Threat of AI-driven Ransomware: AI-driven ransomware has emerged as one of the most pressing concerns. Attackers are leveraging AI to automate phishing, adapt in real-time, and bypass traditional defenses, resulting in more targeted and damaging attacks. Gopan Sivasankaran, General Manager, Secureworks, a Sophos Company, explained how this evolution is reshaping the cybersecurity landscape. "AI-driven ransomware is fundamentally changing the way cyberattacks unfold—making them faster, more targeted, and harder to detect," he noted. This rise in AI-powered cybercrime is not only challenging traditional security measures but also reshaping the dynamics of cyber insurance. Sivasankaran continued, "Insurers are looking for organizations to demonstrate proactive detection, rapid response, and end-to-end visibility before offering favorable coverage." As a result, businesses must invest in AI-driven security solutions like Sophos' XDR and MDR to reduce exposure to such threats and meet rising insurance expectations. Collaboration in Cyber Defence: GISEC 2025 highlighted the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors in addressing the region's most significant cybersecurity challenges. Maher Jadallah, Vice President for Middle East & North Africa at Tenable, discussed how GISEC provides a unique platform for this collaboration: "Every year, GISEC unites the global and regional cybersecurity community, providing a vital platform for exchanging knowledge, forging partnerships, and driving innovation." Jadallah emphasised the growing importance of a risk-based approach to vulnerability management, particularly in sectors like energy, utilities, and manufacturing, where operational technology (OT) is increasingly converging with IT. "By combining continuous visibility across IT and OT assets with threat intelligence, security teams can focus on the most impactful risks," he added. This unified approach to cybersecurity is essential to ensure resilience across critical infrastructure environments, which are often prime targets for cybercriminals. Upskilling and Retaining Local Talent: A major theme throughout GISEC 2025 was the need to upskill local cybersecurity talent. As the region faces a growing cybersecurity skills gap, many organizations are now prioritizing internal development over external hiring. Ned Baltagi from SANS Institute noted, "Curiosity, adaptability, and cultural fit often outmatch technical credentials—and these traits already exist internally." Companies are recognizing that these qualities are crucial for building a resilient cybersecurity workforce. Baltagi's comments resonate with the findings of SANS' latest Workforce Research Report, which shows that 51% of organizations prefer to upskill their existing teams rather than hiring externally. By investing in tailored training programs and certifications, companies are ensuring that their teams are equipped to handle the complex challenges of today's rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape. GISEC 2025's first day reinforced the UAE's commitment to becoming a global leader in cybersecurity. As the region continues to face increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, the emphasis on AI-driven solutions, collaboration, and upskilling local talent is more critical than ever. Industry leaders underscored the need for proactive cybersecurity measures, continuous innovation, and international cooperation to build a secure digital future. With GISEC providing the stage for these vital discussions, the UAE is well-positioned to lead the way in shaping the global cybersecurity landscape.
