Speakers

Martin Sivorn, Head of Cyber Security, Government Digital Service

Martin is an experienced Head of Cyber Security with a proven track record in building teams, driving outcomes and delivering digital transformation in a hands-on and strategic capacity. He is currently the Head of Security at Government Digital Service, a role he has held since the beginning of 2018. In this position, Martin is responsible for ensuring that... the Government's digital services such as GOV.UK and Verify are safe and secure for all UK citizens, alongside working with other government agencies as part of a coordinated approach to protect the UK from cyber attack and deliver the national Cyber Security Strategy. Prior to this, Martin held a number of  positions in information security, most recently Head of Cybersecurity at the Financial Times Group. Here, Martin managed the strategy, budget responsibility, execution and leadership of Cyber Security globally across the Financial Times Group. more

Ian Thornton-Trump, Head of Cyber Security, AMTrust International

Ian Thornton-Trump, CD, CEH, CNDA, CySA+, CPM, BA is an ITIL certified IT professional with 25 years of experience in IT security and information technology. From 1989 to 1992, Ian served with the Canadian Forces (CF), Military Intelligence Branch; in 2002, he joined the CF Military Police Reserves and retired as a Public Affairs Officer in 2013.... After a year with the RCMP as a Criminal Intelligence Analyst, Ian worked as a cyber security analyst/consultant for multi-national insurance, banking and regional health care. His most memorable role was being a project manager, specializing in cyber security for the Canadian Museum of Human Rights. Today, as Head of Cyber Security for AmTrust International, a subsidiary of AmTrust Financial Services Inc (AFSI), Ian has deep experience with the threats facing small, medium and enterprise businesses. His research and experience have made him a sought-after cyber security consultant specializing in cyber threat intelligence programs for small, medium and enterprise organizations. In his spare time, he teaches cyber security and IT business courses for CompTIA as part of their global faculty and advises The Swisscross Foundation, an independent and impartial humanitarian non-profit organization on matters of cyber security. more

Phillip Davies, CISO, VP, Director of Fraud & Piracy & Group Head of Cyber, Sky

John Manning, Head of Technology Risk, Prudential

John joined Prudential UK in December 2002 as a Technical Consultant and now Heads the Company’s Technology Risk function. This diverse role includes Technology Oversight and guidance, Project Steering, Operational Capital Assessment, Business Continuity, Information Security and Privacy. In this role he balances the Business’s operational requirements against... the regulatory and governance requirements. John’s career has covered a number of different sectors, including Military, Government, and Software Development. The management skills and electrical engineering qualifications provided through his role as a Weapons Engineering Officer in the Royal New Zealand Navy provided the groundwork for subsequent roles managing mission critical environments. Leaving the navy he joined a large New Zealand Hospital organisation as Systems Manager after 3 years in this role he chose to migrate to Scotland and gained a position as IT manager with GE Harris, a small software development division within General Electric. In April 2001 he joined TelesensKSCL, a software company providing solutions for billing and other systems to the Telecoms industry globally, as a customer facing Technical Architect. more

Richard Meeus, EMEA Director of Security Technology and Strategy, Akamai Technologies

Richard is Akamai’s EMEA Director of Security Technology and Strategy. With over 20 years’ experience, Richard is responsible for designing and building secure solutions for some of the world’s most influential organisations. Starting out as a hardware engineer, his career has progressed alongside the tech industry as a whole, transitioning from a hardware to... a software focus. Richard is an industry expert in cloud computing, enterprise software and network security.  During his time at Akamai, Mirapoint and Prolexic, he has had a strategic role across a broad range of projects, including the transformation of the UK’s largest corporate email implementation, and the deployment of DDoS solutions for multinational organisations to protect critical infrastructure and sensitive data. He is a chartered member of the BCS and CISSP, and is a thought leader in the industry more

Suresh Nair, Chief Information Security Officer – MENAT, GE

Suresh is currently Chief Information Security Officer - Middle East, North Africa & Turkey (MENAT) at GE Global, a position he has held since 2018. In this role he is responsible for defining Cyber Security strategy for MENAT region and providing strategic leadership to IT Security related projects & initiatives. Suresh supports all GE businesses including... Healthcare, Aviation, Power, Oil & Gas in the MENAT region. Before this position, Suresh was Regional Leader for Gulf and Turkey. Here he aligned security initiatives with enterprise programs and business objectives for the Gulf & Turkey Region, ensuring that information assets and technologies are adequately protected. Suresh has been at GE since 2016. Before GE, he held a number of senior positions across the cybersecurity solutions industry. more

Muhammad Babar, Head of Compliance, MoneyGram International

Muhammad is a Technology enthusiast with over 15 years' experience in the Banking and Payments technology/compliance spheres and is currently at the forefront of MoneyGram’s Digital revenue initiatives from a Global perspective. He graduated as a Computer Engineer from the University of Huddersfield- UK in 2002, and worked as a Software Developer / Design Architect... for various Tech startups specializing in Software Engineering and Design. Expertise in Technology and understanding of the global AML/CTF regulations facilitated Muhammad’s transition to core Regulatory Compliance roles in the Middle Eastern Financial institutions, where he has delivered efficiencies and bottom line improvements – by marrying the worlds of regulations and technology. more

Ashish Khanna, Information Security Officer, Dubai Health Authority

Ashish Khanna is the Information Security officer (GRC Subject Matter Expert) working with a public sector organization in Dubai, a position he has held since 2015. He is an experienced information security strategist and has managed a portfolio of mission critical projects. He has over 12+ years of proven track record for successfully completing highly complex... enterprise-wide, state-of-the-art Information Security and Governance projects by managing multi-disciplined, multinational, cross-functional teams. His proven strengths and experience include: devising, implementing and managing organization’s corporate information security vision, policies and programs; developing, reviewing and re-engineering information security risk management strategies. In the past, Ashish has held similar positions for organizations, diversified over different domains such as, Investment banking, Manufacturing, Education, Consulting and Technology. more

Muhammad Rizwan Khan, Head of Compliance, Al Dahab Exchange

Mr. Rizwan Khan, CAMSFCI, CFCS has contributed in the anti-money laundering (AML) for last 2 decades and relies on his vast policing experience when speaking to various groups. He is one of the innovators of the RCMP’s Proceeds of Crime Program and associated as Head of Compliance in “Al Dahab Exchange” in addition to being an investigator and undercover operator... at some of the highest organized crime levels throughout his career. He is associated with ACFCS as editorial task force member and also same time active member of ICA (International Compliance Association) London and completed combating financial crime from CISI, UK. He has also accomplished International Cyber Certified Professional certificate from McAfee Institute USA. He also used to write articles on compliance topics at international forum most prominently he wrote an article for culture of compliance and introduce a new EDD template to banking industry. more

Ilham Ismail, Head of IT, Hospitality Management Holdings

Ilham Ismail is the Head of IT at Hospitality Management Holdings.  Ilham has over 20 years of experience as a specialised IT professional, managing complex and large projects, system and network administration and hardware support.  He has a proven ability in designing and delivering robust system products, programmes for technical solutions and orientations,... IT Governance and Risk Management. In his current role, Ilham manages 12 branches across the Middle East & Africa region, and is also in charge of planning & budgeting, as well as vendor and partner management.  Ilham was previously the Cluster IT Manager for Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, where he was responsible for the operation of all data and communication system of the property.  He also worked for different sectors such as Transportation, Manufacturing & FMCG in the past.  more

Astrid Hansen, Chief Compliance Officer and Head of Information Security, MENA, Barclays

Astrid has more than 12 years of experience in the areas of technology assurance, information and technology risk and compliance within Global Financial Services. Brought up in the innovative Scandinavian technology market, Astrid has worked both in assurance and consultancy at EY across the Nordics and Africa, before branching... into the Financial Industry Sector. Astrid is highly passionate about Technology and Information Risk Management in the challenged, high speed financial technology environments we surround ourselves with today. more

Hashim Saeed, Group Head of Information Technology, Azizi Developments

Hashim Saeed is the AZIZI Group Head of Information Technology, a role he has held since October 2017.  He has led a dynamic IT management career with 17+ years of experience effectively managing and delivering integrated IT enterprise solutions and is a strategic thinker who understands the bigger picture, combined with technical expertise and people skills... needed to solve intricate operational issues. Hashim is detail oriented with a long track record of improving and optimizing delivery methods. Before AZIZI, Hashim held a number of senior positions in infrastructure and data centre management across various sectors. more

Shafiullah Mohamed Ismail, Senior Manager, Security Architect & IT Governance, Mubadala Development Company

Bio to follow

Kausar Mukeri, Head of Information Security InvestBank

Kauser Mukeri is a senior Cyber Security/Technology expert, specialising in design, implementation and maintaining complex IT infrastructure and Security setups. Kauser has extensive experience in working at various Banks & Financial institutes in Middle East (GCC) and India. He has designed & built cybersecurity and technology setups from... scratch for three leading Banks in Middle East and played a major role in implementing and building the overall IT/Security infrastructure required for the banks’ tight deadlines.  An excellent problem solver and researcher embracing cutting edge and best practice to optimise resources, cost and add value, Kauser delivers long term organisational goals with excellent results. He has strong experience in leading multi-functional teams, coaching and mentoring to achieve targets with limited resources and demanding deadlines. Kauser is presently working as Head of Information Security (CISO) at Invest Bank- UAE, where he has won various awards and accolades including: “Visionary in Cyber Security Practice 2017” award for introducing F5 solutions to enhance and secure application delivery for customers and business needs, “Driving Innovation in Cyber Security Practice 2018” awarded from Cisco Systems for successfully designing and deployment and comprehensive Integration with heterogeneous security solutions with maximum automation and defence in depth approach and “CISO 30 Awards” CISO 30 Middle East awards from Security Advisor ME for successful design & deployment of Information Security program. more