GCC CYBER-SECURITY SUMMIT WILL TACKLE

GROWING THREAT TO REGIONAL DATA SAFETY

September Forum in Abu Dhabi to Focus on Protection
from Cyber-Attack, Terrorism and Criminal Fraud
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 from 13-15 September 2015, will bring together top
international and regional security experts in response to a vital
threat against the regions future well-being: cyber-attack.
US intelligence officials recently stated that cyber-crime currently
trumps terrorism as the biggest threat to the USAs security. Last
year alone, 88% of US stock brokerages and 74% of moneymanagement 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 are 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 SUMMIT at 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 leaders 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, PriceWaterhouseCoopers (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 organised 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
Ends
____________________________

For further information, please contact:

Stefan Kemball
Director of Strategy, TMC
Tel: +971 4 276 5409
Email: stefan@tmc-me.com
Web: www.tmc-me.com

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