CyberX Mena: Leading Cyber Security Event 2025, Dubai, UAE

EVENT OVERVIEW

50,000 electronic attacks countered daily by UAE Cybersecurity Council

223,800 assets ‘exposed’ to cyberattacks as AI-driven attacks rise

UAE Sees 32% Rise in Ransomware Attacks in 2024

The biggest cybersecurity gathering in Kuwait and Middle East

The Conference

The People

Best cybersecurity place to network and gain business

The Exhibition

The Middle East Cybersecurity Market size is estimated at USD 11.69 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 17.25 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 8.10% during the forecast period (2025-2030).

The key drivers contributing to the increase in the adoption of data-intensive approaches and decisions with the growth include the increase in the number of cyberattacks in the Middle East with the growing digitalization.

The UAE is one of the prominent economies. It has focused on moving toward a digital economy for the last few years. The Cyber Sniper initiative is a program by the UAE Cyber Security Council to train government employees in cybersecurity. The program helps build a strong national workforce to protect the country’s digital infrastructure.

Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government, said, “As we stand on the cusp of a new era powered by emerging technologies, the rise in AI-driven attacks and widening cyber capabilities demand stricter vigilance to secure the future. The path forward requires international collaboration, innovation, and commitment. Together, we will continue building a secure and prosperous digital UAE, where innovation flourishes, opportunities thrive, and our systems remain resilient in the face of any challenge.”

UAE Cyber Security Council (CSC) has officially launched the National Cybersecurity Strategy which aligns with the UAE’s commitment to staying ahead of rapid transformations across sectors, particularly in advanced technology, artificial intelligence, and the digital economy.

Join us on 01st Oct in Dubai for the CyberX MENA Summit & Awards, the region’s premier cybersecurity gathering. This exclusive event will bring together top industry leaders, policymakers, and security experts to tackle the most pressing cyber threats and innovations shaping the Middle East.

A key highlight of the evening will be the CyberX Global - Mena Awards, where we will honor the Top CISOs from MENA region who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and resilience in securing the region’s digital future.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, collaborate, and celebrate excellence in cybersecurity!

FEATURED DISCUSSION

UAE Cybersecurity
Landscape:

Exploring Middle East's ever-evolving cyber security landscape

Zero Trust & Identity Security
in a Hyper-Connected World:

Implementing a Zero Trust approach to mitigate risks associated with remote work, IoT, and third-party access

Incident Response &
Threat Intelligence:

Strengthening threat intelligence, response planning, and crisis management for modern enterprises

CISOs at the
Forefront:

Discuss how CISOs are aligning cybersecurity with business strategy and ROI

Data Protection & Compliance in the Middle East -

Safeguarding government, energy, and financial sectors from cyberattacks targeting national security and economic stability

Securing
Innovation:

Protecting emerging tech ecosystems – AI, IoT, blockchain, and 5G security challenge

Deep Fakes &
Cyberattacks:

Exploring deep fake risks, AI-generated cyberattacks, and insider threats

Critical Infrastructure Protection:

Securing energy, utilities, transport, and other national critical infrastructure

AGENDA

08:30 - 09:30

Registration and Networking Break

Enjoy a refreshing coffee break during CyberX MENA 2025's Registration & Networking session

09:30 – 09:40

Welcome Address by the Conference Chairperson

Parvez Shariff, CEO & Commercial Director, BConnect Global

09:40 – 10:00

Opening Keynote Address: Building Cyber Resilience in the Age of AI and Emerging Threats: A Governance & Assurance Perspective

Speaker:

Kapil Matta, Vice President, ISACA UAE Chapter

10:00 – 10:50

Panel Discussion: Exploring Middle East's ever-evolving cyber security landscape

Rise of AI-driven cyber threats and how organizations can leverage AI and machine learning for proactive defense
Examining the latest ransomware tactics and effective strategies for cyber risk management
IoT security: Security in the era of 5G
Managing security risks in hybrid cloud environments as the region accelerates digital adoption
Zero Trust & Identity Security in a Hyper-Connected World

Panellists:

Walid Lotfy, Projects Managing Advisor, Federal Government
Vishal Vaghela, Chief Information Security Officer, Americana Restaurants
Aus Alzubaidi, Group Chief Information Security Officer, MBC group
Hany George, Technical Solutions Engineer, Mimecast

Moderator:

Ali Katkhada, Group Chief Information Officer, Depa Group

10:50 - 11:10

Industry Keynote: From Threat to Strategy: Building a Resilient Defense Against Ransomware & Financial Fraud in the Age of Digital Risk

Speaker:

Prof. Hossam Elshenraki, Head of the Police Management Department, Dubai Police Academy

11:10 – 11:45

Networking Coffee Break

11:45 - 12:05

Keynote Presentation: Adaptive Security: Intelligence as the Catalyst for Cyber Defence

Speaker:

Padam Sundar Kafle, Head Operational Technology,Innovation and Automation Aster hospitals UAE and Oman

12:05 - 12:55

Panel Discussion: Leadership Panel - The Evolving Role of Security Leaders

Balancing risk, compliance, and innovation in an ever-changing cyber landscape
Reducing human error and strengthening organizational cyber hygiene
Cyber defense strategies for interconnected industrial control systems and urban tech
Discuss how CISOs are aligning cybersecurity with business strategy and ROI
Strengthening threat intelligence, response planning, and crisis management for modern enterprises

Panellists:

Davide Del Vecchio, Chief Information Security Officer, Careem
James Wiles, Head of Cyber Security - Middle East & Africa, Cigna Healthcare
Ajay Mathai, Director of IT - Atlantis Resorts, Kerzner International
Omar Nasreldin, Lead Solutions Engineer, Seclore

Moderator:

Hani Bani Amer, Head - Information Security Al Etihad Payments

12:55 – 13:45

Panel Discussion: Strengthening Cybersecurity Resilience in the Digital Age

Strategies to Protect, Govern, and Future-Proof Critical Information in a Digital-First Era
Exploring deep fake risks, AI-generated cyberattacks, and insider threats
Data-Driven Cybersecurity: Harnessing Analytics for Defense
The Future of Data Protection: Striking the Balance Between Privacy, Security & Accessibility
Protecting emerging tech ecosystems – AI, IoT, blockchain, and 5G security challenges
Building a Cyber-Aware Culture – Empowering employees as the first line of defense

Panellists:

Padam Sundar Kafle, Head Operational Technology,Innovation and Automation, Aster hospitals UAE and Oman
Siham Benhamidouche, VP Cybersecurity and Data Risk, Schneider Electric
Rohit Bajpai, Head of Internal Audit, Gulf Islamic Investments Group

Moderator:

Kapil Matta,Vice President, ISACA UAE Chapter

13:45 – 14:00

Awards Ceremony

Join us for a prestigious evening at CyberX MENA 2025 as we honor the Top 50 CISOs from across the region for their exceptional leadership in cybersecurity.

This exclusive award ceremony celebrates the visionaries who have successfully navigated the complex cyber landscape, ensuring the resilience of their organizations.

Witness these trailblazers recognized for their innovative strategies, commitment to security, and dedication to protecting the digital future of the Middle East.

14:00 – 15:00

Closing Address and Networking Luncheons

DOWNLOAD AGENDA