Huawei sponsors third 2021 Cyber Security Salons in Middle East

Huawei sponsored the third virtual session of the 2021 Cyber Security Salons held around the Middle East. The online event, organised by Forum Global in association with Cullen International, brought together important regional industry experts and Huawei speakers in a panel discussion to examine cybersecurity challenges faced by enterprises and explore potential collaboration opportunities.

From his side, Kamal Zian, Chief Security Officer, Huawei Gulf North, highlighted the role of regional industry experts and technological leaders in cybersecurity: “While recovering from the pandemic, countries across the Middle East realized the importance of cloud as key enabler of digital economies. In Huawei, we are committed to supporting the region’s digital transformation by delivering innovative, secure, and safe cloud services.”

Speaking at the seminar, His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Hamad Al-Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity, UAE Government, noted that we need to keep the ecosystem supporting our digital economy open, transparent, and collaborative.  He concluded with how cloud security will be a core part of this new cybersecurity framework because the future of securing cyberspace lies with reining in the cloud, as cloud security tomorrow is cybersecurity of today.

Dr. Jassim Haji, President of Artificial Intelligence Group, highlighted how Artificial Intelligence plays a vital role in cybersecurity, and that it won’t just be people that solve these issues. With the world in the Zettabyte era, criminals are already using AI, machine learning, and complex algorithms to carry out cyber-attacks. With AI becoming more autonomous, machines will play a greater role in tracking cyber threats in the Middle East and beyond. “AI is a necessity in the future” he said, with more tools emerging with no human supervision, even including drafting policy.

Mr. Charbel Chbeir, council member at ARISPA, highlighted a note made by Professor Pierre Catala’s presentation on the draft law on electronic communications, writing and transactions, and how the digital revolution enables every individual to communicate with others at any time, and affects everyone in their person and their property. Chbeir noted how the law must adapt to these new parameters of social life.

Ms. Rasha Al Abdali, In-Charge Director of Compliance, Ministry of Transport, Telecommunications, and Information Technology in Oman, highlighted how a good balance of policies and good governance are vital today. She continued to stress that data governance ensures that all the stakeholders are on the same page in terms of defining roles and responsibilities.

Cyber Security Salons are a platform for stakeholders to meet and discuss cybersecurity policies and regulations, as well as for regional and global authorities to examine how they might work on cyber defence. Academics, policymakers, major opinion leaders, and other stakeholders from the APAC, European, and Middle Eastern areas are invited to participate in the worldwide series.

This Middle Eastern version concludes the 2021Security Salon series, after events inthe Asia Pacific and European regions. The event witnessed a keynote presentation by His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Hamad Al-Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity, UAE Government, and the hosted panel discussion on cloud security and digital transformation featured key regional ICT leaders including Dr. Jassim Haji, President of Artificial Intelligence Group; Ms. Rasha Al Abdali, In-Charge Director of Compliance, Ministry of Transport, Telecommunications, and Information Technology in Oman; Mr. Charbel Chbeir, council memberat ARISPA, the industry organization under the League of Arab States; and Mr. Kamal Zian, Chief Security Officer, Huawei Gulf North.

Huawei, a valued ICT partner around the world, continues to collaborate and contribute to the industry in the region. Huawei continues to assist fast digitization and is a key driver of cloud adoption to help the Middle East’s digital transformation by collaborating with partners and customers to advance cybersecurity.