Endorsed by the UAE Cyber Security Council, The Cyber Security & Innovation Series concluded its discussions in Dubai by honoring and awarding several government agencies and global companies’ representatives for excelling in the fields of cybersecurity and data protection. The event discussed the ways of developing, expanding and improving information security infrastructure, and combating the ever-increasing cyber threats.
HE Dr. Mohamed Al-Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the Government of the UAE commented: “We at the UAE Cybersecurity Council take pride in supporting such events and have people engage with each other, learn from each other, network with each other. Afterall, this is how we can ensure we safeguard ourselves and our communities, and are able to create a vigilant and resilient cyber environment for the society. Because of the efforts by our leadership, our partners, and our workforce, UAE already has an advanced digital infrastructure that enables various national sectors to achieve total digital transformation, supported by a safe environment capable of meeting the requirements of the preparations for the next 50 years, in line with the best international practices.
We at the UAE Cybersecurity Council, aim to strengthen cybersecurity and reinforce the capacities of all sectors to respond to emergency attacks with effectiveness and professionalism. Our aim at the council is to proactively address the challenges caused by rapid digital technological development. I would like to thank the team at Market Solutions Events for organizing the Cyber Security & Innovation Series as we are always happy to support such dialogues and discussions as we don’t save any efforts on contributing to achieving our highest priority which is to ensure the country, its organizations, and its people are all safe and are all secure at all times.”
Liu Jiawei, CEO, at Huawei Tech said: “I am honoured to receive the award of Cybersecurity CEO of the Year and to be recognized by the industry. We thank H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al-Kuwaiti and the organizers, MS Events for the recognition.
Dr. Aloysius Cheang, CISSP, Member, Board of Directors, (ISC)², Inc. and CISO of Huawei commented: “Your peace of mind is our peace of mind. When it comes to security, you accept no compromises; when it comes to cybersecurity, neither do we. Thus, we designed an end-to-end cybersecurity assurance system in accordance to our cybersecurity strategy that is endorsed and supported by at the highest level by our global CEO and the global Board of Directors. Cybersecurity is the foundation of our business and your digital life as we strive to establish the UAE as a globally trusted digital hub. Hence, ensuring the highest standards in cybersecurity isn’t a choice but a responsibility; a responsibility that accepts no compromises.
Eng. Madiha Salem, Head of the Organizing Committee of the Cyber Security & Innovation Series, and Founder of Market Solutions Events Management said: “We at MS Events are grateful & honored by the support of the Cyber Security Council, to the event, I would like to thank them for their support towards a locally founded business”. She added:” I’m proud of the great success crystalized in hosting over 200 guests, & 50 speakers over 4 days of intense sessions focused on cyber threats facing the Energy & Utilities Sectors, Government Bodies, BFSI, Retail & eCommerce. We are excited to host physical events again, and we are looking forward to organize more successful significant events tackling the most important issues concerning the public private sectors in the UAE”.
During the event, HE Dr. Mohamed Al-Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the Government of the UAE awarded, several government and private sector representatives for their efforts in the field of cyber security: Adel Alhosani, CISO, Dubai Customs, won the award of Cyber Personality of the Year. Sultan Al-Owais, Digital Lead, Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, UAE won the Cybersecurity Champion of 2021 award. And, Best in Class Cyber Infrastructure Award went to Hessa Almatrooshi, Director of Information Security, Ajman Free Zone. Hala Alhashmi, IT Chief Officer, Sharjah National Oil Corporation, won the Cybersecurity Training Program of the Year. Cyber Bank of the Year award was given to Ram Soni, AVP Security Architecture, Mashreq Bank. Cyber Woman of the Year went to Fatema Almalki, Head of Information Security, Electronic Government Authority RAK. CISO of the Year, went to Dr. Ahmed Al Ketbi, CISO, DEWA. Infoblox, won the Best Enterprise Security Solution of the Year. Cybersecurity Company of the Year award was given to Huawei, and Cybersecurity CEO of the, Year award was given to Liu Jiawei, CEO, Huawei. Cyber Awareness Plan of the Year, was awarded to Sharjah Airport Authority, And, finally, Cyber Influencer of the Year award was awarded to Dr. Mohammed Al Kuwaiti, by Dr. Aloysius Ching, CISO of Huawei, CISSP, & Member of the Board of Directors, (ISC)², Inc.
HE Dr. Mohamed Al-Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the Government of the UAE, said that the UAE has become a global hub for cybersecurity companies & experts after attracting digital investments and hosting international companies working in cybersecurity security, given the enabling legislations & the developed, reliable digital infrastructure built to facilitate facing the recent global challenges of safeguarding data from hackers, the issue that has increased strongly during the “Covid-19” pandemic.
Dr. Kuwaiti added: “ The UAE’s investments over many years in the ICT sector amount to several billion dollars annually, as the country aimed to provide a safe and reliable digital environment in light of the ever advancing technological development and the accompanying increase in cyber threats, including the threats of cyber-hacking activists, and organized cybercrime groups that represent a threat to national security in the country.
His Excellency continued: “ The UAE has laws and strategies built according to the highest international standards, most notably the National Cyber Security Strategy, which aims to create a safe and solid cyber environment that helps enable state institutions, private institutions, companies and individuals to achieve their digital ambitions, and to develop and grow in a highly protected digital environment.
He explained that hackers worldwide have multiplied the size of their attacks hundreds of times during the “Covid-19” pandemic, targeting countries and governments for the purposes of obtaining funds, sabotage or intelligence purposes, and to steal scientific patented information amongst other purposes. However, the UAE was able through coordination and cooperation between all government agencies and international companies to face this torrential stream of attacks and are still working closely to anticipate and deal with them proactively.
HE the head of Cyber Security in the UAE government stressed on the fact that the UAE has kept pace with the changes taking place globally with regard to protecting privacy against electronic crimes, blackmail and threats using stolen information. He added: “The UAE Cyber Security Council is also diligently working on enhancing digital security for members of society, citizens, & residents through many laws that have contributed to improving the quality of digital life for all.
