Global experts to highlight MEA’s $34B cybersecurity market

With cybersecurity spending rising sharply across the globe and cities becoming ever more connected with the adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT), organisations in both public and private sectors are recognising the increasing importance of cybersecurity.

To highlight this pertinent trend the Gulf Information Security Conference and Internet of Things Expo (IoTX) will connect digital decision makers and technology titans from across the region and beyond while exploring and debating the latest tech innovations, cybersecurity trends and smart solutions.

The Middle East and Africa (MEA) cybersecurity market forecast to reach $34.6 billion by 2023, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 15.6 per cent, according to leading-industry market re-search and consultancy firm Mordor Intelligence, GISEC and IoTX 2018 will shape the agenda for the future of cybersecurity and IoT in the region.

GISEC 2018 will deliver a comprehensive program, featuring a new one-day AI Talks. Also new to the show is the BFSI Cyber Focus Day, a unique session highlighting the challenges faced by the banking, financial services and insurance sector. In a special preview to the main event, on April 30, former CISOs from BP and Shell will deliver an in-depth session and share best practices to protect oil and gas industries in the Oil and Gas Masterclasses.

The events, co-located under the Future Technology Week umbrella, will run at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 1-3 May and will feature more than 120 leading cybersecurity and technology exhibitors from 80-plus countries, showcasing the latest products and services to meet the growing demand for critical online security and blockchain solutions.

One of the hot topics during Future Technology Week will be the growing concern around advanced malware across the Middle East and best practices to combat cybercriminals.

Cited in the 2017 edition of Deloitte’s Technology, Media and Telecommunications Predictions, countries in the Middle East are on high alert against malware attacks with systems in the region suffering at least double, in some cases eleven times as many, the global average of infected systems.

Francisco Salcedo, Senior Vice President, Etisalat Digital, said, “We are honoured to participate in GISEC 2018. This demonstrates our continued commitment to build awareness, showcase our digital security solutions, collaborate with our industry peers, and share our insights on the latest security trends. At Etisalat Digital, we view digital resilience as a strategic priority for today’s connected world. “We have invested heavily in people and technology, built operating models and have been delivering innovative and reliable digital security offerings for all industry verticals in the region.”

The 6th edition of GISEC promises to be the most energetic to date, with adrenaline-fuelled record breakers and robot dogs on patrol, while IoTX will feature the world’s first AI-composed song for the city of Dubai.