As the Middle East gears up for GISEC Global 2024, the region’s premier cybersecurity event, artificial intelligence (AI) emerges as a central focus in industry dialogues.
Under the theme ‘AI-Driven Cyber Resilience’, GISEC Global 2024 is scheduled to take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from April 23-25. It will bring together over 750 leading cybersecurity brands, 350 global cybersecurity experts, and 1,000 ethical hackers from across the globe to delve into the challenges and trends linked with AI shaping the future of technology.
Navigating the AI Landscape
Charles Brooks, President of Brooks Consulting International and Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University, underscores AI’s exponential impact on cybersecurity. Brooks, a prominent speaker at GISEC Global, highlights AI’s potential to enhance threat detection and identification speed. However, he cautions against the risks, noting that malicious AI can be exploited by cybercriminals to embed malware in widely used programs.
Brooks explains that attackers can obtain user data through delayed self-executing assaults, enabling intelligent malware to adapt to countermeasures and exploit system vulnerabilities.
The Ascendancy of Generative AI
An area of particular interest in AI is the ascent of Generative AI. Vectra AI, a leading provider of AI-powered cybersecurity services, will be among the 750 exhibitors at GISEC Global 2024. Christian Borst, EMEA CTO at Vectra AI, acknowledges Generative AI’s positive impact on cybersecurity operations, facilitating faster and more informed decision-making.
However, Borst also highlights the risks associated with Generative AI, noting its appeal to criminal hackers for crafting undetectable malware and bypassing security measures.
Navigating Uncertainties
Quantum Computing further complicates the cybersecurity landscape with its rapid development and decryption capabilities, posing a significant threat to conventional encryption methods, according to Brooks.
Despite these challenges, cybersecurity experts remain optimistic about the opportunities AI presents for the industry’s future. Borst emphasizes the need for an entrepreneurial mindset and a willingness to embrace innovation, particularly in regions like the Middle East, which are showing remarkable progress in revolutionizing traditional cybersecurity approaches through AI and Machine Learning.
