The Middle East is at the forefront of technological development and digital transformation, particularly in relation to the roll-out of smart cities and other IoT-related ecosystems. Enabling this digital transformation is the shift to and utilisation of the cloud, where scale and deployment can be achieved at accelerated rates.
However, the digital transformation of economies demands high levels of regulatory oversight and cooperation between industry, policymakers, and other stakeholders. A strong focus on cyber security and data privacy is key to ensuring trust and confidence in these new systems, products, and services.
As the global nature of cloud technology continues to evolve, the challenge in establishing data sovereignty to meet national and regional regulations is complex.
In this latest session of the Cyber Security Salons, speakers will assess the challenges and opportunities for governments and stakeholders across the Middle East region as they embark on and continue their digital transformation journeys.
Key questions will include:
Participants will come from national ministries, regulators, telecommunication operators, universities, telecommunication equipment manufacturers, research and design institutes, software developers and other interested stakeholders. Alongside the panel, the audience will have the opportunity to pose their questions and comments.
As with future editions in the series, the result will be a mapping of regional approaches, culminating in a discussion around developing closer global cooperation on cyber security.
Note: All sessions below are GMT+4
Moderated by
Visiola follows cybersecurity regulation at EU level and national cybersecurity developments in the UK and Ireland. At EU level, she focuses on initiatives such as the NIS Directive, 5G security and the EU cybersecurity act. Visiola joined Cullen International in July 2015, after graduating from the University of Hamburg in EU Law and Affairs.
Visiola Pula
Senior Analyst, Cullen International
10:00 – 10:15
Dr. Al Kuwaiti is currently holding the position of the Managing Director of the National Data Centre under the Supreme Council for National Security. He is also working as Assistant Professor (Adjunct) of Homeland Security Program at Rabdan Academy. In his current role Dr. Al Kuwaiti aims to create a fully governed approach to data privacy, sharing and processing as well as the unification and connectivity of government systems and digitization towards a smart government With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Al-Kuwaiti holds a Doctorate in Computer Engineering and Network Security from George Washington University in the USA and a M.Sc. degree in Telecommunications and Computer Networks. He also holds a M.A. degree in International and Civil Security. Dr. Al-Kuwaiti has won various awards such as Best Lecturer, Dean honors list, leadership Awards, best Design Projects.
H.E. Dr. Mohamed Hamad Al-Kuwaiti
Head of Cyber Security, United Arab Emirates Government
Dr Jassim Haji has management and executive experience in Aviation, Hospitality, Technology and Telecommunications for over 30 years. He is an international expert, strategist and researcher in Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, plus President of Artificial Intelligence Group.
He participated as a key speaker and chairman in over 200 technology conferences in Middle-East and Europe to cover latest technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Big Data, Cyber Security and Digital Trasnformation. He also published articles in relation to the above topics. Dr Haji managed to achieve forty three top Middle-Eastern technology awards, including 12 CIO distinguished awards. Additionally, Dr. Haji is part of several advisory boards of key technological events in the Gulf and he is participating in several judging panels for reputable technology awards. Furthermore, he has featured on 19 international technology and aviation magazines cover pages with over 80 interviews. Moreover, published four books in English and Arabic on Artificial Intelligence, Digital Transformation post COVID-19, Technology Management and Organization Culture and over 500 articles on technologies with international press and media in both English and Arabic languages.
Dr. Haji has been instrumental in implementing several projects related to Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Chatbots in Arabic. Furthermore, he implemented first regional Aviation Hybrid Cloud Computing in Middle-East, first global Big Data sentiment analysis in Arabic, and first implementation of combined of ISO 27001, 9001, 20000, 240001, 22301, 55000 and 50001 certifications in the world of airlines.
Dr. Haji received his Doctorate in Business Administration (PhD) from the University of Northumbria at Newcastle, UK in 2010. He has completed his Master degree in Management of Information Technology from the University of Sunderland, UK and graduation in telecommunications from the famed Cable and Wireless College, Cornwall, UK.
He started his career with Sprint Telecommunications in London before joining Gulf Air in 1985 as a network engineer and moved to Sabre – an American airline Travel IT solutions company. He then moved to EDS as an Executive Director, another American IT solutions company with global presence, then in 2008 to Gulf Air as the Director of Information Technology Division. He has served on the board of directors of a leading hospitality and tourism technology provider in the Middle East and on SITA Council representing Middle East and North Africa.
Rasha has almost 14 years of experience in various IT domains and served at key national government projects related to IT Governance, Security Management and IT Compliance. She has been engaged in the development of national policies and standards for governing the IT industry in Oman, as well as providing guidance and consultancies to government agencies, and conducting research on the new technological trends. She is currently leading the national compliance program for the government sector, the IT Accreditation program of the private sector, and has been actively involved in the revision of national IT-related laws.
Rasha Al Abdali
In-Charge Director of Compliance, MTCIT, Sultanate of Oman
Lawyer, member of the Beirut Bar Association (BBA), former Member of the Special Committee at the Beirut Parliament studying the e-Transaction Law (issued) and the potential amendments thereto, representing the BBA, current ISOC Governance committee MEMBER ( Lebanese chapter ), IGF ( LMAG) Member ( Lebanese chapter ), current Member of the AI ( artificial intelligence ) committee at the BBA .
Former Representative of the BBA before the Presidency of the Council of Minister with respect to the E-Commercial Registry Project “One-Stop Shop”
Expert on ICT and cyber-criminality issues, and Managing Partner at @ttorneys Law Firm
Mr. Charbel Chbeir
Council member, ARISPA
Currently working as Chief Cyber Security Officer, responsible for overall cyber security and data protection strategies and execution plans within the Gulf North Region (Qatar/Kuwait/Bahrain). Previously served in Huawei as Director of Consulting, Director of regulatory affairs, and Head of core network solution department. During the past 10 years in Huawei, he led the long term strategic development plans for IT infrastructure virtualization, private Cloud development, IoT, big Data, Data Monetization, and network modernization. Supported several public and private organization digital transformation initiatives. Played a key role in introducing 5G technology and use cases in Qatar & Kuwait. Before Huawei, Mr. Kamal worked as a solution manager in Ericsson and ICT delivery in Nokia for over 6 years, supporting key projects in MENA region. Mr. Kamal holds a degree in Telecommunication Engineering with 17+ years of experience.
Kamal Zian
Chief Security Officer, Huawei Gulf North
11:15 – 11:45
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