SANS Gulf Region 2022 to enhance cybersecurity skills in Dubai

SANS Institute has announced SANS Gulf Region 2022, an interactive training program designed to teach participants how to detect and prevent cyber-attacks using actionable techniques taught by top global cybersecurity practitioners. The event will take place from 5 to 24 November 2022 at the Hilton Dubai Jumeirah and will provide a wide range of in-person and virtual cybersecurity training to help participants develop critical skills and techniques that they can use in the real world.

Mobile Device Security and Ethical Hacking; ICS Cybersecurity In-Depth; Managing Security Vulnerabilities: Enterprise and Cloud; Reverse-Engineering Malware: Advanced Code Analysis; Implementing and Auditing Security Frameworks and Controls, and others are among the 15 in-depth sessions at SANS Gulf Region 2022.

Following the pandemic and the rise of remote working around the world, the global threat landscape has been rapidly shifting. According to the SonicWall 2022 Cyber Threat Report, cyberattacks have increased due to a seismic shift in the geopolitical landscape. According to its mid-year update, 2.8 billion malware attacks were recorded in the first half of 2022 (11% more than in 2021), while ransomware volume decreased by 23% globally. Europe saw a 63% increase as well, and despite a decline, year-to-date ransomware volume has surpassed full-year totals for 2017, 2018, and 2019. According to the report, there was a 77% increase in IoT (Internet of Things) Malware and a 132% increase in encrypted threats sent via HTTPS. 

“SANS is committed to giving cybersecurity professionals the skills and tools they need to keep their organizations safe from threats, while also attracting fresh talent to the world of cybersecurity,” says Ned Baltagi, Managing Director – Middle East and Africa at SANS Institute. “SANS Gulf Region 2022, our biggest event in the region, gives candidates a powerful opportunity to discover the most effective steps to prevent cyber-attacks and detect threat actors by leveraging proven techniques that are relied on by the world’s foremost cybersecurity practitioners.” 

He continues, “The threat landscape across the GCC continues to evolve following the onset of the pandemic, the rise of hybrid working environments, and the increasing use of technology to boost productivity and business performance. As a result, it’s vital that businesses, whether they are governmental entities or enterprises, take steps to protect their staff, data, and infrastructure by continually training their cybersecurity professionals, so they can detect threats and prevent cyber-attacks.”

Only FOR710: Reverse-Engineering Malware: Advanced Code Analysis and ICS612: ICS612: ICS612: ICS612: ICS612: ICS612: ICS612: Cybersecurity In-Depth sessions are only available in Dubai; participants can attend the other 13 sessions in person (after registering) at the Hilton Dubai Jumeirah or virtually. The latter includes live stream instructions with real-time support from GIAC-certified teacher assistants, as well as an archive of course lectures that will be uploaded to participant accounts on a daily basis during the event, and four months of access to course lecture recordings. Participants can also obtain CPEs to demonstrate their ongoing skill development.

The in-person sessions will typically last from 9:00 a.m. to 17:00 p.m. Gulf Standard Time, with breaks in between.

Participants at SANS Gulf Region 2022 can take advantage of a special hotel rate at the Hilton Dubai Jumeirah. The special room rate will be available until October 7, 2022, or until the hotel block is sold out, whichever comes first.

Baltagi concludes, “Whether they attend SANS Gulf Regions 2022 in-person or virtually, all participants will benefit from a comprehensive training experience from industry-leading professionals, enhanced by material that is aligned with GIAC certifications that they can implement immediately to secure their environment and advance their careers. We also make sure there are active opportunities for participants, following the event, that will keep them engaged and allow them to leverage their new insights and skills.”