Cisco, ADSIC host security trends and strategies workshop

Cisco together with Abu Dhabi Systems and Information Centre (ADSIC) held a security workshop at the Ritz Carlton in Abu Dhabi to showcase the latest security innovations, global smart deployments and use cases to Abu Dhabi’s government departments and entities.

The high-level workshop brought together information security and technology leaders from the government and public sector who shared their experiences and discussed the latest developments in the field of cybersecurity.

H.E. Rashed Lahej Al Mansoori, Director General of Abu Dhabi Systems and Information Centre (ADSIC) said, “Cybersecurity has become a critical issue for governments and organisations across all sectors, from transport and healthcare to critical infrastructure and utilities. With fast-paced changes impacting how government organisations engage with citizens, businesses, and each other, public-private partnerships are able to advance the cybersecurity agenda by facilitating information sharing and elevating security operations, standards and processes. This workshop is part of our long-standing relationship with Cisco aimed at leveraging best practices and building digital capabilities and trust.”

The workshop is part of ongoing collaboration between Cisco and ADSIC to address growing demand for technology and networking skills and develop digital capabilities across government entities. Cisco and ADSIC have also been working to expand the Cisco Networking Academy Program throughout the Abu Dhabi Educational system. Cisco’s Networking Academy Program enables UAE graduates to pursue successful ICT careers in a wide range of industries and also enables others to harness the entrepreneurial spirit and knowledge they acquired in Networking Academy to start their own businesses and create new jobs.

“We are extremely proud of our association with ADSIC and support their efforts to highlight the importance of security, and the most effective strategies to prevent, detect, and mitigate threats,” said Shukri Eid, Managing Director – East Region, Cisco Middle East. “Cloud, mobility, Internet of Things (IoT) and social media technologies, combined with growing digital business practices, have helped countless organisations transform how they operate, but they have also increased the attack surface. As ICT systems are extended and merged, there is growing fear that sensitive data that is collected and held by public entities will be vulnerable to criminal hackers or other types of unauthorised disclosure. Public sector organisations and service providers are especially vulnerable because their operations are tied so closely to the public’s trust. Security must be integrated into the very fabric of an organisation, and it takes a security-conscious approach to ensure that every level of cyber protection is met.”