Latest news with #DubaiElectronicSecurityCentre
Khaleej Times
25-06-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dubai is shaping a cyber resilient society, says top official
Dubai is not just building a secure digital environment, but shaping cyber resilience society on the anticipated threats with agility that recover with speed, said Abdullah Al Suwaidi, director of Cybersecurity Planning and Performance Department, Dubai Electronic Security Centre. Speaking during the opening keynote at the FutureSec 2025 conference organised by Khaleej Times, he said the emirate looks to 'transform every challenge into an opportunity". He added that challenges have never prevented Dubai from pursuing its ambitions, and they will never. 'Let us continue to innovate, collaborate and fortify so that Dubai remains a global leader in cyber security and a beacon of safety and progress in this connected world,' Al Suwaidi said during the conference, which was attended by hundreds of cybersecurity professionals from the public and private sector. He added that the goal is to keep the city's digital infrastructure resilient, forward-thinking and secure. 'But resilience isn't built on technology and regulation alone. It depends on people — skilled, prepared and empowered individuals. That's why our Cyber Security Centre and the Dubai Cyber Innovation Park are at the heart of our strategy. 'We work side-by-side with government entities to grow national talents, equipping teams with the expertise they need to defend against today's threats,' said the director of the Cybersecurity Planning and Performance Department at Dubai Electronic Security Centre. Founded in 2014, the centre was established to ensure that Dubai becomes a leader in cyber security and the protection of information from external cyber threats. The centre reinforces the technological progress and smart transformation that has been adopted and engrained in the foundations of the emirate, by establishing Dubai as a global leader in innovation, safety and security. Abdullah Al Suwaidi added that the centre took another bold step forward by releasing its Post-Quantum Cryptography Guidelines, ensuring that the city is not just ready for the current threats, but also for those that will emerge in the quantum era. 'We also conduct regular audits every government entity and it is assessed against ISR (Information Security Regulation) standards to make sure that that multi-layer defences are not just in place, but are working as intended,' he said at the one-day conference. Earlier, Ted Kemp, chief content officer of Khaleej Times, delivered the welcome address, where he urged the cybersecurity industry and media to work together. He added that the lines between human and machine adversary are blurring, and the consequences for organisations alike are profound. 'The profile of the typical cyber assailant has shifted far beyond the basement-bound teenage prodigy that many out there still imagine. In fact, it's even gone beyond that of the determined, geographically remote criminal syndicate. We now face an era of AI versus AI, where your own best efforts will have to evolve with the same speed as new intelligence-driven angles of attack,' he said. He urged media and security professionals to keep working together. 'Our shared mission is to inform, protect and empower so let's make today's FutureSec summit a platform for cooperation, innovation and renewed commitment to securing that future that belongs to all of us,' he added
Hi Dubai
16-06-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Dubai Electronic Security Centre Launches Student Cybersecurity Training Programme
The Dubai Electronic Security Centre (DESC) has opened registration for its latest Cyberspace Leaders Programme, an immersive summer initiative aimed at equipping school students aged 13 to 18 with essential cybersecurity skills . The programme will run from 30 June to 10 July at the University of Dubai. Held in collaboration with the Dubai Cyber Innovation Park, the University of Dubai, EMT, and Tech Firm, the initiative reflects DESC's commitment to building a digitally aware youth prepared to defend Dubai's cyberspace. The programme will run daily from 9 AM to 1 PM, combining theoretical knowledge with practical workshops. Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani, Chief Executive of DESC, highlighted the programme's role in nurturing national talent and reinforcing Dubai's digital resilience. 'Empowering future generations with specialized digital expertise is a cornerstone for strengthening Dubai's global competitiveness,' he said. Participants will begin with foundational topics such as cybersecurity basics, password strength, and digital hygiene. They will also engage in interactive challenges to test their understanding in real-time. Advanced sessions will explore antivirus systems, Wi-Fi protection, and home network security, alongside hands-on training in identifying and mitigating cyber threats. The programme also features hardware-level security modules to encourage innovation and problem-solving. Interactive elements like code-breaking games and cybersecurity-themed puzzles are designed to keep the experience engaging while reinforcing key concepts. Through this initiative, DESC continues its mission to foster a secure, technology-driven digital society. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Hi Dubai
12-05-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Dubai Electronic Security Centre Strengthens Cyber Resilience at GISEC Global 2025
The Dubai Electronic Security Centre (DESC) concluded its impactful presence at GISEC Global 2025 with key initiatives aimed at fortifying Dubai's cybersecurity landscape and shaping the emirate's digital future. Held from May 6 to 8, DESC's participation as the official government cybersecurity partner for the eighth year underscored its ongoing commitment to secure digital transformation. The Centre unveiled a range of projects focused on infrastructure resilience, talent development, and international collaboration. Among the highlights was the launch of the Zero Trust Assessment Tool and Guideline, a new framework for government entities based on continuous identity verification to reduce cyber vulnerabilities. DESC also introduced Ethaq Plus, a digital trust platform to enable secure and authenticated digital transactions, and a Post-Quantum Cryptography Guideline to safeguard systems against future quantum threats. DESC further advanced its talent development agenda with the ISR Officer Certification Program, training government employees in information security management. A Memorandum of Understanding with Moro Hub, a Digital DEWA company, was also signed to expand cybersecurity assessment services across public sector entities. To foster skill-building, the Centre honoured graduates of its Cybersecurity Leadership Program and launched the latest Dubai Cyber Challenge, where Digital Dubai Authority took first place. The DESC also hosted the School of Cyber Defense Championship, drawing over 300 university students. Al Ain University emerged as the winner, with total prizes of AED 130,000 awarded. DESC CEO Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani said the Centre's efforts align with Dubai's vision to become a global leader in digital innovation and security. 'Our strategy focuses on collaboration, innovation, and preparing for future challenges,' he said. With these initiatives, DESC reinforced its position as a key driver of Dubai's secure and sustainable digital transformation. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Hi Dubai
08-05-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
AI Reshapes Cybersecurity as GISEC Global 2025 Opens in Dubai
GISEC Global 2025 opened in Dubai with a powerful message: artificial intelligence is redefining the cybersecurity landscape, offering both unprecedented opportunities and serious risks. As the third-largest cybersecurity event in the world, this year's edition is focused on 'Securing an AI-Powered Future.' More than 750 cybersecurity companies, 450 global CISOs and futurists, and over 25,000 visitors from 160+ countries have gathered to explore how AI is transforming cyber defence strategies. With the cybersecurity market projected to hit $298.5 billion by 2028, the event has become a critical hub for industry dialogue. In a keynote speech, Dr Mohamed Al-Kuwaiti, Head of the UAE Cybersecurity Council, warned that the UAE faces over 200,000 cyberattacks daily—most targeting government entities. He called for urgent evolution in cybersecurity practices to keep pace with AI-driven threats and stressed the importance of governance, ethics, and innovation in securing the digital future. Eugene Kaspersky, founder and CEO of Kaspersky, echoed those concerns. He described the current threat landscape as 'AI vs AI,' where both attackers and defenders use advanced tools to outmaneuver each other. He emphasized the need for organisations to invest in secure AI systems to prevent a future dominated by cybercrime. The event also spotlighted Dubai's digital resilience. Faisal Abdulaziz of the Dubai Electronic Security Centre highlighted efforts to embed cybersecurity in the city's smart transformation, with a strong emphasis on talent development and critical infrastructure protection. Microsoft's Aarti Borkar stressed that secure infrastructure is key to unlocking AI's full potential. With data leaks and AI-driven threats on the rise, she urged companies to build systems with security at their core from the very beginning. GISEC Global 2025 continues this week, tackling issues like weaponised AI and next-gen defence solutions. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Hi Dubai
07-05-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
GISEC Global 2025 Kicks Off as Dubai Strengthens Global Cybersecurity Leadership
GISEC Global 2025 opened today in Dubai, with H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum inaugurating the region's largest cybersecurity event and underscoring the UAE's growing influence in the global digital security landscape. Held under the theme Securing an AI-Powered Future , the event has drawn more than 750 exhibitors, 450 cybersecurity leaders, and 25,000 visitors from over 160 countries. It marks the 14th edition of GISEC and its biggest yet, spread across nine exhibition halls at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Sheikh Mansoor toured key exhibits from the Dubai Electronic Security Centre, Huawei, and Microsoft, accompanied by senior officials including Helal Saeed Almarri. He highlighted Dubai's role as a hub where global innovators collaborate to tackle emerging cyber threats. Organised by the Dubai World Trade Centre and hosted by the UAE Cybersecurity Council, the event introduces several new initiatives. These include the Dubai Cyber Challenge , a two-day competition for 25 government teams, and the Students Hackathon – School of Cyber Defence , aimed at fostering youth engagement in cybersecurity. The newly launched GISEC North Star brings 125 startups to pitch their innovations to investors and decision-makers, while the Global Cyber Drill by the UN's ITU agency unites more than 130 national cybersecurity teams in a large-scale cyber resilience exercise. With over 350 speakers delivering expert insights across 350 hours of content, GISEC Global 2025 places artificial intelligence at the heart of discussions—examining both its potential to protect and its risks when weaponised. This year's edition positions Dubai at the forefront of shaping a secure digital future, amid a cybersecurity market projected to reach $298.5 billion by 2028. News Source: Emirates News Agency
