The GCC Cyber-Security Summit Will Tackle Growing Threat to Regional Data Safety

DUBAI INTERNET CITY, UAE - May 11, 2015 - PRLog -- Former Director of US Federal Emergency Management

Agency (FEMA) Heads Panel of Top Experts

The GCC CYBER-SECURITY SUMMIT, which takes place in Abu Dhabi from13-15 September 2015, will bring together topinternational and regionalsecurity experts in response to a vital threat against the region’s future well-being: cyber-attack.

US intelligence officials recently stated that cyber-crime currently trumps terrorism as the biggest threat to the USA’s security. Last year alone, 88% of US stock brokerages and 74% of money-management firms were victims of cyber-attacks – either directly or through a vendor.
The Gulf has not been spared. Research by Kaspersky Lab shows that the UAE ranks second in the GCC, and around 15th globally, in suffering from online threats and attacks, not surprisingly, authoritative research house Gartner records a current value of $23 billion for the Middle East cyber-security market: a figure set to grow exponentially.

The wealth and resources of the six GCC nations are now viewed as rich pickings– among a shadowy fraternity that is only growing in size and menace.
Those charged with protecting national and company security is increasingly asking themselves two specific questions: What are the true, current threat perspectives, here in the GCC? Where are the ever-evolving strategic solutions necessary to protect our governments and economies?
The GCC CYBER-SECURITY SUMMITat the Abu Dhabi Beach Rotana Hotel will bring together highly influential international and regional cyber-authorities to provide robust guidance and analysis on these strategic issues. Advisory Board members and speakers will network with a distinguished audience of CEOs, COOs, CSO, CIOs, CTOs, Security Experts, Financial Crime Advisers and Telecoms Managers.

Michael D Brown, Former Director of FEMA (the US Federal Emergency Management Agency) who will be a keynote speaker, said last week:“The UAE has been a staunch partner of the USA in key areas of international security – most recently in the struggle against ISIL terrorism in Iraq and Syria.

“A more insidious threat to the entire Arab Gulf is cyber-attack. It makes just as much impact on society as the bomber or the assassin.”
Joining Michael Brown on the Summit Advisory Board will be Dr Jonathan Reichental, CIO of the City of Palo Alto in California. Dr Reichental, former winner of the “Best CIO in Silicon Valley”Award, commented: "Creating and executing a comprehensive cyber-security strategy has to be at the top of any leader’s agenda now. This isn't a nice-to-have, this is essential work."

Confirmed members of the Honorary Advisory Board, who will be speaking at the Summit, include: Ibrahim Al Mallouhi, Vice-President – Security Operations, Du Telecom; Patrick MacGloin, Director & Cyber-Security Lead MENA, Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC); Billa Bhandari, Director, Cybersecurity & Biometrics SME; Mr Brown and Dr Reichenthal.

They – and more than 20 other specialists – will examine regional threat perceptions, risks and solutions. They will assess how attacks on critical regional infrastructure have been and should be handled: above all, they will explain how best to ensure secure government and business continuity in the face of ever-increasing levels of criminal espionage and hacking.

As Michael Brown summed up: “We need, above all, to correctly understand the nature of the threats facing the region as it seeks long term protection for its critical communications infrastructure”
The GCC CYBER-SECURITY SUMMIT is organized by TMC Conferences of Dubai – creators of the recent and well-received GCC BIG DATA SUMMIT held in Dubai during March.

The conference programme, with topics, is available on the GCC CYBER-SECURITY SUMMIT website, www.gcc-cybersecurity.com
OR call TMC on: +971 4 276 5409; E-mail: info@gcc-cybersecurity.com

For further information, please contact:
Stefan Kemball
Director of Strategy, TMC
Tel: +971 4 276 5409
Email: stefan@tmc-me.com
Website: www.tmc-me.com

Read about the event programme, advisory board, delegate booking and sponsorship opportunities atwww.gcc-cybersecurity.com