Latest news with #digitalsovereignty
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt reinforces cybersecurity leadership at CAISEC'25
- Strategic Platform for Regional Integration and a Secure Digital Future Cairo, Egypt – Egypt has once again demonstrated its leadership in the cybersecurity domain by successfully hosting the fourth edition of the Cyber and Information Security Exhibition and Conference (CAISEC'25) on May 25–26. Held under the high patronage of H.E. Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt, the two-day forum brought together an unprecedented 5000 participants, 180 expert speakers, 9 Egyptian ministers, and 6 heads of Arab cybersecurity agencies, underscoring the event's critical role in shaping the region's digital future. Inaugurated by H.E. Dr. Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, on behalf of the Prime Minister, CAISEC'25 served as a high-level platform for collaborative dialogue around securing critical infrastructure, building digital sovereignty, and enhancing regional cybersecurity integration. 'Cybersecurity is no longer a technical function—it is a national priority. Egypt is committed to strengthening its frameworks, developing local talent, and leading regional cooperation to ensure a secure and sustainable digital future,' said Dr. Talaat during the opening keynote. Unprecedented Governmental and Institutional Engagement CAISEC'25 witnessed wide-ranging participation from Egyptian government leaders and institutional stakeholders. Nine ministers attended the event, emphasizing the importance of cybersecurity to Egypt's Vision 2030 across key sectors. Attending ministers and officials included: H.E. Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar – Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health and Population H.E. Dr. Ayman Ashour – Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research H.E. Dr. Sherif Farouk – Minister of Supply and Internal Trade H.E. Mr. Mohamed Abdel Latif – Minister of Education H.E. Mr. Mohamed Gebran – Minister of Labor H.E. Mr. Ahmed Kouchouk – Minister of Finance H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat – Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation H.E. Dr. Ahmed Hanno – Minister of Culture Mr. Mohamed Farid, – Chairman of the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) Eng. Mohamed Shamroukh – Executive President of the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Egypt (NTRA) · Mr. Walid Zakareya – Director General, EG-CERT Their presence reflected a unified national commitment to fortify Egypt's digital infrastructure and ensure sector-wide cybersecurity readiness. Regional Leadership and Arab Cyber Solidarity The conference also drew six heads of national cybersecurity authorities from across the Arab world, including: Supreme Cybersecurity Council – Egypt National Cybersecurity Agency – Qatar National Cybersecurity Center – Bahrain Computer Emergency Response Center – Egypt National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI) These leaders, alongside 180 distinguished speakers, shared insights on regional integration, cyber resilience, and policy innovation. Notably: Dr. Mohamed Hamad Al-Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity, United Arab Emirates, emphasized cross-border digital defense. Noura Al-Fotais, Founding Secretary General of the Arab Cybersecurity Association, called for a unified Arab cybersecurity pact. Mohamed Ben Amor, Director General of the Arab ICT Organization (AICTO), highlighted the regional urgency, noting that the average cost of a cyber incident in the Arab region reached $8.75 million in 2024 more than double the global average. Recognizing Excellence and Driving Innovation CAISEC'25 also spotlighted innovation and achievement, awarding the Arab Award for Best Academic Research in Cybersecurity and AI, in collaboration with the League of Arab States. The AICTO Cybersecurity Shield was presented to top-performing Arab nations, including Egypt, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Jordan. Strategic Roundtables and Industry Engagement The event hosted exclusive closed-door roundtables on key themes including: Critical Infrastructure Under Cyber Siege HealthTech Innovation & Security Empowering Cybersecurity Startups in Egypt AI in Banking Security – led by Cisco Vendor Security Assessments – led by Cyshield As part of its ongoing commitment to fostering strategic dialogue on cybersecurity, Orange Business Talk returned to CAISEC for its second exclusive edition, hosting a powerful session featuring Greg Van Der Gaast — a globally recognized cybersecurity strategist, former hacker, and operative for the U.S. Department of Defense and FBI. Known for his unconventional, results-driven approach to cyber defense, Van Der Gaast delivered a provocative talk titled 'Security Without Fear: Rebuilding Trust in the Age of Digital Chaos.' Opening Remarks by Ossama Kamal In his opening remarks, Mr. Osama Kamal, Chairman & CEO of Mercury Communications- the organizing company behind CAISEC'25- highlighted the urgency of cybersecurity acceleration. He pointed to recent cyberattacks on healthcare, energy, and financial institutions globally and regionally, underscoring a 214% increase in cyberattack targets over the past 18 months. He warned of significant gaps in cyber readiness and emphasized Egypt's need to protect over 150 digital government services. Kamal called for investing in human capital, closing the cybersecurity skills gap, and placing security at the heart of the digital transformation strategy. He urged for a unified regional approach to cyber risk, fostering innovation to secure critical digital assets, and empowering executive leadership to build resilient economies through robust cybersecurity frameworks. Key Recommendations from CAISEC'25 The event concluded with four strategic recommendations: 1. Combating AI-Powered Threats Launch deepfake and phishing detection tools using AI Enforce biometric multi-factor authentication Establish a national phishing threat intelligence center 2. Developing Future Cybersecurity Leaders Integrate cyber education into school curricula Align higher education with industry needs Empower women in cybersecurity through inclusive policies 3. Strengthening National Policies and Regional Cooperation Enforce breach disclosure laws Create public-private cyber intelligence alliances Support local cybersecurity R&D 4. Enhancing Public Awareness and Digital Literacy Launch national awareness campaigns and youth programs Develop cybersecurity content for children and universities Establish a National Cybersecurity Innovation Award About CAISEC Egypt Cyber and Information Security Exhibition and Conference (CAISEC) is the leading expo for the cybersecurity community. Top cybersecurity enterprises, CISOs from major corporations across the Middle East and Africa, government dignitaries and cyber leaders, regional and international delegations and global experts will come together to decisive lead cybersecurity transformations across sectors and nations. The objective of CAISEC is to provide a world-class platform that stimulates knowledge sharing, collaboration and networking between all stakeholders to drive digital transformation and build a safe cyberspace for all.
News24
3 days ago
- General
- News24
No, Joel Netshitenzhe did not call Starlink a Trojan Horse for US military control
A viral post falsely claims former politician Joel Netshitenzhe called Starlink a US military 'Trojan Horse' in South Africa. Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA), where Netshitenzhe is an executive director, has confirmed he never wrote or endorsed the analysis. The claim, which itself lacks substantiation, originated from a Facebook post that was wrongly attributed and later publicly retracted. A viral post circulating on social media falsely claims to be a 'concise analysis' by South African policy analyst and politician Joel Netshitenzhe. Dated 27 May 2025, the post alleges that Elon Musk's satellite internet company, Starlink, is a covert instrument of the United States military and geopolitical dominance - a 'Trojan Horse' threatening South Africa's digital sovereignty. But the attribution to Netshitenzhe is incorrect. In a statement issued on 28 May, the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA), where Netshitenzhe serves as executive director, disassociated itself from the analysis. READ | 'It has come to the attention of the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA) that a contribution providing an analysis of Starlink's interest in South Africa is in circulation on X,' the statement reads. 'We would like to unequivocally state that our Executive Director, Mr Joel Netshitenzhe, has published no such analysis and that MISTRA is in no way associated with the write-up that is being circulated.' The post, which has been widely reshared on Facebook and X, appears to have originated as a Facebook text post. It was subsequently copied and posted on X by Donovan Calvin Meyer, who in turn also wrongly attributed it to Netshitenzhe. Meyer later issued a public apology: I do not know how to undo this, I am embarrassed and ashamed, I just pasted from a FB post, my sincere apology to @SizweLo, I follow him, not sure how I missed this one, this is his writing I am familiar with — Donovan Calvin Meyer (@Calidonny) May 28, 2025 Despite calls to delete it, the post remained live at the time of publication. The original author of the Starlink claims appears to be Sizwe SikaMusi, who describes himself as a 'social commentator and gatekeeper of historical facts'. While some debate continues around Starlink's global military associations - including its use in Ukraine and its connection to US defence contracts via SpaceX - there is currently no evidence that the service will be used to spy on South Africans or bypass national laws. The tactic of attaching a prominent name to a generic statement is a classic tool used by purveyors of online misinformation. Netshitenzhe is a respected public figure and analyst, and using his name alongside unverified geopolitical claims distorts national debate on technology, sovereignty, and regulatory oversight, particularly in the context of growing public interest around Starlink's possible rollout in South Africa.
Russia Today
23-05-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
‘Cyber UN' proposal gains momentum at Moscow tech summit
A proposal to establish a global 'Cyber United Nations' took center stage on Thursday at Positive Hack Days (PHDays Fest) in Moscow, as diplomats and cybersecurity leaders called for a new international framework to promote digital sovereignty and reduce reliance on Western technology giants. The initiative, introduced by cybersecurity professionals and echoed in diplomatic circles, aims to create shared standards for digital infrastructure and cyber defense. It reflects mounting concerns over widespread dependence on US-made software and draws parallels with the dominance of the US dollar in global financial systems. More than 40 countries from Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia are participating in the three-day forum, one of Russia's largest gatherings focused on information security. Speaking on a panel about digital sovereignty, Mexican Ambassador to Russia Eduardo Villegas Mejias said that many countries, including Russia, continue to depend on Microsoft Windows, even amid sanctions. He questioned why alternatives like Linux are not more widely adopted and attributed it to language and infrastructure dependencies. Yury Maksimov, co-founder of the Cyberus Foundation, likened the global reliance on American technology to the widespread use of the greenback. 'Using American tech is convenient – just like the dollar. But the world has been shaken, and now civilization faces a choice,' he said. Maksimov was referring to Western sanctions imposed following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, which disconnected Russia from dollar-based financial systems and excluded major Russian banks from SWIFT. These measures sparked concerns about the politicization of financial infrastructure and spurred countries like China, Iran, and other BRICS members to develop alternative payment systems and promote the use of national currencies. Arguing for collective action, Maksimov proposed that instead of each country developing its own isolated systems, nations should collaborate on shared technological standards under a neutral global entity. 'How do we build a 'Cyber UN' capable of setting these rules?' he asked. Russia, which has already replaced much of its foreign tech stack, could play a key role in helping other nations avoid duplicative efforts and focus on high-impact innovation, he suggested.
Zawya
17-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Presight and AIQ to spotlight their UAE-made AI products and solutions at Make it in the Emirates 2025
Abu Dhabi, UAE – Presight, a UAE leading global big data analytics company powered by AI, today announced its participation in Make it in the Emirates 2025, taking place from 19 – 22 May at the ADNEC Center, Abu Dhabi. In partnership with AIQ (majority owned by Presight), both companies will jointly showcase their cutting-edge, UAE-developed AI solutions that are driving national resilience and global competitiveness. As the UAE's national champion in AI and a homegrown success story, Presight is enabling digital sovereignty and economic diversification through world-class AI platforms developed and deployed in the Emirates. These platforms deliver strategic outcomes across critical sectors, including energy, finance, logistics, mobility, and public safety. As the largest AI for energy company in MENA, and a $1.4B industrial AI unicorn, AIQ is reshaping the global energy landscape from its home base in the UAE. With 15 transformational UAE-made solutions, 21 patents, and a team of 100+ experts, AIQ combines deep energy domain expertise from ADNOC with robust AI capabilities from Presight. Presight's and AIQ's participation aligns closely with the UAE's National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031, supporting the country's position as a global leader in advanced industry and technology. Presight solutions deployed across the Emirates are estimated to have already achieved over AED 1 billion in annual efficiency gains, more than two million labour-hours saved, and 100% automated data processing Thomas Pramotedham, CEO of Presight and Board Member of AIQ, shared: 'This event is a celebration of what's possible when local innovation meets national vision. At Presight and AIQ, we're proud to deliver world-class AI solutions made in the UAE, securing our national AI sovereignty, and positioning the UAE as a global leader in AI solutions. Presight technologies are helping to optimize industries, protect data, and drive smarter outcomes, while AIQ is setting new benchmarks for smarter, cleaner, and more resilient global energy systems. Presight and AIQ are building world-class AI solutions made in the Emirates — securing our data, optimizing critical industries, and future-proofing national resilience.' Presight will showcase its full suite of AI products at Make it in the Emirates 2025, including the recently launched: Presight AI-Policing Suite – a home-grown, modular solution designed to transform public safety and law enforcement operations using the power of Generative AI and advanced analytics. Presight LifeSaver – a groundbreaking end-to-end emergency and crisis management platform which combines leading-edge AI, big data analytics, and real-time insights into a single unified solution that addresses the full emergency lifecycle. Presight Synergy – a next generation, home-grown data and AI platform designed to future-proof AI adoption and simplify the implementation of various industry-specific use cases. Meanwhile, AIQ will showcase its full suite of solutions, including: ENERGYai – Agentic AI for Energy ENERGYai is the world's first agentic AI platform built specifically for the energy sector. It fuses a 70-billion-parameter large language model (LLM) with 50+ years of ADNOC's operational expertise and petabytes of proprietary data to drive system-wide optimization, intelligence, and efficiency. Live Demo Available at MIITE. RoboWell – Autonomous Well Control RoboWell stabilizes well production in the most economically efficient way possible. It eliminates the need for constant manual monitoring and adjustment, autonomously maintaining stable operating conditions while optimizing output and minimizing gas lift consumption. AR360 – Intelligent Reservoir Management AR360 offers a unified 360° view of reservoir performance by integrating diverse workflows. Using automation, machine learning, and advanced analytics, it provides real-time insights to boost production and lower operational costs. EmissionX – Emissions Monitoring & Forecasting EmissionX tracks and measures GHG emissions in real time. Its intuitive dashboard provides deep analysis of carbon footprints, identifies anomalies, and evaluates the impact of mitigation initiatives—supporting more informed decisions and predictive emissions strategies. Thomas Pramotedham will also join a panel discussion on 19th May from 3:15 PM – 4:00 PM discussing 'Smart Industries and Intelligent Futures – UAE's Approach: Smart, Scalable and AI-enabled'. Presight and AIQ representatives will be available for interviews, product demonstrations, and media walkthroughs, at Hall 7, stand number: AM70. About Presight Presight is an ADX-listed public company with Abu Dhabi based G42 as its majority shareholder and is a UAE leading global big data analytics company powered by AI. It combines big data, analytics, and AI expertise to serve every sector, of every scale, to create business and positive societal impact. Presight excels at all-source data interpretation to support insight-driven decision-making that shapes policy and creates safer, healthier, happier, and more sustainable societies. Today, through its range of AI-driven products and solutions, Presight is bringing Applied Intelligence to the private and public sector, enabling them to realize their AI strategy and ambitions faster. For further information, please contact Presight@ or media@
Coin Geek
09-05-2025
- Business
- Coin Geek
Africa runs risk of becoming 'digital colony,' expert warns
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... One of the continent's top industry experts has warned that African nations must develop their own infrastructure and prioritize digital sovereignty or risk becoming a 'digital colony.' In his keynote address at the 2025 CEO Summit in Accra, Moses Kwesi Baiden Jr. called on African leaders to build technology solutions for Africa and stop the dependence on the West. Baiden is the CEO and founder of Margins Group, an Accra-based identity solution firm that produces Ghana's national ID cards. 'Africa must not remain on the periphery of global transformation. We must build an Africa where data is sovereign, systems are secure, and innovation is homegrown. The time for building is now. In the world that's coming, you either build or you are built,' he stated. According to Baiden, recent global trade tensions, sparked by conflicts in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, as well as Donald Trump's tariffs, point to a future in which every region will prioritize self-sufficiency. This includes tech, a sector where Africa has overwhelmingly relied on solutions developed in the West or Asia. This overreliance on imported solutions leaves the entire region vulnerable to shakeups and disruptions beyond its control, Baiden added. It could ultimately make the continent a 'digital colony' that abides by rules it didn't write. 'Imagine a future where your corporate memory, your data, your identity can disappear overnight—not due to your failure, but because of decisions made halfway across the world.' Baiden's warning is supported by data; only 2% of the data produced in Africa is stored on the continent. The region is home to 200 data centers, which account for less than 1% of the global figure. This infrastructural deficit has denied Africans the opportunity to own their data, which ends up in the hands of tech giants that profit from it. Consequently, the region is unable to meaningfully participate in shaping global systems, which are usually designed to best fit other markets. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a prime example: few AI models have been designed to accommodate Africa's diversity in culture and language. While some governments and private sector players are building localized large language models (LLMs), they can't compete with global giants like OpenAI and Google (NASDAQ: GOOGL), whose models are trained mainly on Western data and promote Western values. 'We cannot be spectators in a future designed by others. If we do not act now, we risk becoming casualties of it,' Baiden warned. Egypt invests $256M in digital transformation As Africa marches toward digital sovereignty, the continent's second-largest economy is set to invest EGP13 billion ($256 million) to boost its digital transformation. Egyptian Planning and Economic Development Minister Rania-Al Mashat recently announced the investment, revealing that $177 million would come from the state budget. The aim is to make government service delivery more efficient and make Egypt a regional Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hub, she added. Notable projects will include rebuilding the digital government network and expanding the scope of services offered through 'Digital Egypt.' The target for this year is for a third of the populace to access government services digitally. The government will also train over 600,000 citizens in ICT skills and build new innovation centers nationwide. It targets EGP6 billion ($118 million) in revenue from tech outsourcing services over the next year, although an April report projected that AI could wipe out 40% of Africa's outsourcing sector jobs. The ICT sector has been one of the fastest growing in Egypt, with an annual growth rate of 15%. In addition to direct employment, it has contributed to the growth of other industries by developing homegrown solutions to the country's challenges in healthcare, agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, and more, Mashat noted. Egypt joins dozens of other African nations investing heavily in digital transformation, with digital identity serving as the foundation of this revolution. Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and several others have unveiled initiatives over the past year to upgrade their citizens to digital ID, with partners like the World Bank and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) playing a big role. Watch: Blockchain is changing Nigeria's tech city ecosystem title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="">
