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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.
Gulf Business
06-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
GISEC Global 2025: Here's what these top tech firms are showcasing
Image: GISEC Global With AI-driven cybercrime and ransomware attacks surging worldwide, Under the theme 'Securing an AI-Powered Future' , the event will unite over 450 CISOs, 25,000 professionals from 160 countries, and more than 750 global brands — including AWS, Huawei, and Microsoft — for the Middle East and Africa's most pivotal cyber event. This year's edition will spotlight innovations from global leaders. SANS Institute will debut its free GISEC Academy offering hands-on technical training; SentinelOne will unveil its Singularity Hyperautomation platform and Purple AI analyst; OPSWAT will feature live demos including a model nuclear reactor; and Tenable will showcase its AI-powered Exposure Management Platform. Meanwhile, Nozomi Networks, ManageEngine, and SolarWinds will present next-gen solutions addressing industrial cybersecurity, identity governance, and cloud network resilience. Here's what these key players are bringing to GISEC Global Ned Baltagi, MD, Middle East, Africa, and Turkey at SANS Institute At GISEC 2025, SANS has one clear focus: turning knowledge into action. As a Strategic Bronze Partner and long-time GISEC contributor, we're deepening our commitment to regional cybersecurity by expanding access to world-class training. This year marks the launch of the SANS GISEC Academy in Hall 4, our free three-day programme featuring technical sessions led by SANS Certified Instructors. Covering topics like offensive operations, ICS incident response, and cyber threat intelligence, the academy is open to attendees of all backgrounds and experience levels. It's the first time we're introducing this hands-on learning format at GISEC. Come meet the team at Hall 7, Stand D75, where we're showcasing how SANS is helping build long-term cyber resilience across the region. Meriam ElOuazzani, senior regional director, META, SentinelOne At GISEC 2025, SentinelOne is affirming our commitment to advancing autonomous cybersecurity solutions. Our focus is on demonstrating how organisations can leverage AI to enhance their security posture and operational efficiency. A key highlight is the Singularity Hyperautomation platform, which enables security teams to connect, automate, and accelerate workflows without coding. This innovation addresses the challenges of alert fatigue and manual processes by streamlining operations and reducing response times. We will also feature our AI SIEM for the Autonomous SOC, an AI-powered open platform designed to ingest, detect, and protect enterprise environments at scale. This solution offers real-time threat detection and response capabilities, providing organizations comprehensive visibility across their security landscape. Purple AI, our advanced AI security analyst, will be on display, showcasing its ability to detect threats earlier and respond faster through AI-driven security intelligence. Visitors can experience live demonstrations, including the interactive 'Mortal vs. Machine' challenge, to see firsthand how our technologies outperform traditional security measures. Sertan Selcuk, VP for METAP and CIS, OPSWAT OPSWAT is participating in GISEC as a Diamond sponsor this year and we are proud to showcase our latest cybersecurity advancements in critical infrastructure protection (CIP). We shall have live demos and sessions, through OPX labs, offering practical insights on safeguarding vital systems and networks. Alongside the Mobile Lab, will be OPSWAT's Nuclear Plant Model Reactor, a display that underscores the company's expertise in securing sensitive environments like nuclear power plants. Further we having speaking engagements throughout the event — on day two, the company Founder & CEO, Benny Czarny, will present 'Breaking the Firewall: Revolutionising Cyber Defense for a Connected World'. He will examine the limitations of conventional firewalls — from their historical origins to today's organisational requirements — and illustrate how advanced threats routinely bypass legacy perimeter protections. Drawing on recent real-world incidents, he will reveal why firewalls alone can no longer secure the networks billions of people rely on daily. Maher Jadallah, VP, Middle East and North Africa, Tenable Over the past seven years, Tenable has undergone a significant strategic evolution, methodically expanding its capabilities across Identity Security, Cloud Security, Operational Technology (OT), Attack Path Analysis, and Exposure Analytics. Scattered products and siloed views have left organisations struggling to hold back threats across a fragmented attack surface. We know the war against cyber risk can be won with holistic security strategies and solutions. At GISEC we'll be showing organisations how they can regain control of their environments to reduce their risk and end their exposures. From booth C175 in Hall 5 Tenable will showcase its Tenable One Exposure Management Platform — the world's only AI-powered exposure management platform. Effective exposure management requires a unified view of the entire attack surface, allowing security teams to detect toxic risk combinations, identify attack path choke points, and prioritise weaknesses based on their true impact on the organisation. Tenable One radically unifies security visibility, insight and action across the attack surface, equipping modern organisations to isolate and eradicate priority cyber exposures from IT infrastructure to cloud environments to critical infrastructure and everywhere in between. Rajesh Ganesan, president, ManageEngine At this year's GISEC, our focus is on delivering unified security solutions to address the evolving threat landscape. We'll be showcasing our cybersecurity suite — including SIEM, IAM, and PAM solutions — alongside the latest advancements in AI technology that are shaping the future of cyber defense. A major highlight is ManageEngine's IAM platform, AD360, now equipped with over 100 new prebuilt integrations. This upgrade makes identity management smoother and more secure for large enterprises. It also helps organisations strengthen their identity governance, cut down operational costs, and stay compliant with global standards. Plus, it has seamless integrations with HRMS, ITSM, and SIEM platforms. Abdul Rehman Tariq Butt, regional director – Middle East at SolarWinds Our portfolio is constantly evolving, and GISEC provides a great platform to highlight the latest innovations. Since our last appearance, we've made significant strides. We've expanded support to include a wider range of devices — especially SD-WAN nodes — to help customers accelerate their network modernisation efforts. We've also enhanced our multi-cloud capabilities with out-of-the-box support for Google Cloud Platform, alongside AWS and Azure. Most recently, in March, we strengthened our offering further with the acquisition of a solution focused on incident response and business continuity. Anton Shipulin, industrial cybersecurity evangelist, Nozomi Networks This year, we're demonstrating how organisations can achieve the full spectrum of protection for their OT, IoT, IT, and wireless assets through a unified platform purpose-built for industrial environments. We're also proud to showcase recent industry recognition, such as our position as a leader in the Forrester Wave and our placement in the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Cyber-Physical Systems Protection Platforms. These acknowledgments reflect the trust and value our platform brings to organisations working to secure critical infrastructure in an increasingly complex threat landscape.
TECHx
01-05-2025
- Business
- TECHx
SANS Brings Cybersecurity Training Events to UAE in May 2025
Home » Emerging technologies » Cyber Security » SANS Brings Cybersecurity Training Events to UAE in May 2025 The SANS Institute will host two major cybersecurity training events in the United Arab Emirates this May. These events aim to equip professionals across the Middle East with practical skills to defend against rising cyber threats. SANS Abu Dhabi May 2025 will take place from May 18 to 23 at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr. Just a few days later, SANS Dubai May 2025 will be held from May 25 to 30 at Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah. Both events offer hands-on courses led by SANS-certified instructors. Each course prepares attendees for GIAC certifications and focuses on real-world applications, labs, and case studies. The UAE continues to face mounting cybersecurity challenges. According to the 2025 State of the UAE Cybersecurity Report: Over 223,800 assets remain exposed online. 50% of critical vulnerabilities have not been patched in over five years. Most incidents are caused by misconfigurations or incorrect usage. AI-powered threats like phishing and deepfakes are becoming more common. These risks place key industries such as government, energy, and finance at high risk. Cyber resilience is now a national priority. Ned Baltagi, Managing Director for the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey at SANS Institute, said the UAE's rapid digital growth has made it a top target for attackers. He emphasized the value of SANS's mission-focused training in helping security teams improve readiness in areas like ICS, forensics, red teaming, and auditing. SANS Abu Dhabi May 2025 Dates: May 18–23Location: Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi Courses offered: ICS410: ICS/SCADA Security Essentials FOR572: Advanced Network Forensics SEC670: Red Teaming Tools A free Community Night will be held on May 19 (5:30pm–6:30pm GST). Titled Tales from the Cryptography , this session explores major cryptographic failures in 2024 and what can be learned from them. It is open to all cybersecurity enthusiasts. Register for SANS Abu Dhabi Join the Community Night SANS Dubai May 2025 Dates: May 25–30Location: Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah Courses offered: SEC565: Red Team Operations and Adversary Emulation SEC566: Implementing and Auditing CIS Controls SEC511: Cybersecurity Engineering A Community Night will take place on May 26 (5:30pm–6:30pm GST). The session, Same Findings, Different Organization , highlights recurring vulnerabilities across industries and discusses their root causes. Register for SANS Dubai Join the Community Night Attendees can join in person or virtually. All sessions are delivered by instructors with real-world experience. Participants will leave with skills that can be applied immediately in their roles. This dual-city training initiative reflects SANS Institute's commitment to advancing cybersecurity capabilities in the region.
Channel Post MEA
01-05-2025
- Business
- Channel Post MEA
UAE To Play Host To Dual Cybersecurity Training Events By SANS Institute In May 2025
SANS Institute 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 Turkey, 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 defense 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. 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 Organization'. The talk will shed light on recurring vulnerabilities across companies and industries, raising tough questions about whether organizations are truly improving their security posture. 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. 0 0
