Speakers

H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity, United Arab Emirates Government

Dr. Al Kuwaiti was appointed by the Cabinet as the Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government since 2020. As the Head of Cyber Security, his mandate includes responsibilities as the Chairman of the UAE Cyber Security Council as well as Managing Director of the National Data Centre under the Supreme Council for National Security. As the Head of Cyber Security for... the UAE Government by investiture, Dr. Al Kuwaiti has legal authority over all aspects pertaining to securing the cyberspace for the entire Nation. In his current role, Dr. Al Kuwaiti is tasked with the responsibility of charting the cyber security strategy for the Nation that not only equips the UAE to enter the digital era with capabilities to deal with the new threat landscape exacerbated by the pandemic, but also ensures UAE’s leadership in cyber security globally; towards establishing the UAE as the world’s leading trusted digital hub and supporting the Nation’s digital transformation agenda and the digital future of all residents who made UAE their home. Towards that end, he leads the Council to outline an implementation plan to protect the UAE cyberspace through emerging technologies such as Cloud, Big Data and AI in a whole-of-government approach coordinating and orchestrating efforts between Emirates and government entities via a unified platform built and managed by the Council. Under Dr. Al Kuwaiti’s leadership, the UAE has advanced 42 positions in the ITU Global Cybersecurity Index, rising to the 5th place globally from 47th in the previous assessment. Dr. Al Kuwaiti has also led UAE to many firsts, including Guinness World Records for having the most users in a cyber capture the flag (CTF) competition, the largest bug bounty competition and the largest cyber drill; all initiatives that aim at capacity building in cyber security and improving the technical competencies of cyber security professionals and enthusiasts. More importantly, he has been instrumental in advocating for realizing the value of cyber security by demonstrating cyber security as a critical business enabler. Since 2021, Dr. Al Kuwaiti plays the role of an ambassador for collaboration between the government and cyber agencies, helping to bridge the discussion between the two major stakeholders in the digital economy. Under his chaperone, key public-private partnerships were established between the UAE Cyber Security Council and leading local and international cyber security organizations with the goal of making a positive contribution to the UAE cyber agenda and be a major force that will benefit the global cyber security industry. Additionally, bilateral agreements established with countries both within the region and across the world contributed towards mutual information sharing, capacity development and legal assistance aid treaties, all key outcomes as a result of the National Cyber Security Strategy that he has put in place to realize the vision of the UAE for the next 50 years. Underscoring the UAE’s leadership in cyber security on a global stage under Dr. Kuwaiti’s tutelage, UAE plays a pivotal role in the Arab Regional Cybersecurity Centre with UAE being elected as the Vice Chair of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Computer Emergency Response Team to respond to cyber emergencies during the 10th Regional Cybersecurity Week for Arab Countries and OIC Member States in 2022. UAE also co-chairs the Information Sharing Committee in the White House Counter Ransomware Initiative, a coalition of 37 international partners. His contributions to accelerate the cyber security maturity of the Nation and fostering a vibrant cyber security ecosystem in the UAE have been recognized in multiple forums, including the (ISC)² Government Professional Award for EMEA. Dr. Al Kuwaiti also sits on the Boards of the UAE Council for Digital Wellbeing, Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), Federal Geographic Information Center and is on the Advisory Committees of the College of Information Technology under United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) and Emirates ICT Innovation Center (EBTIC) under Khalifa University. Additionally, he is an Adjunct Professor under the Homeland Security Program at Rabdan Academy and a visiting lecturer on Cyber Security at universities such as Khalifa University and National Defense College in Abu Dhabi. Prior to his current appointments, Dr. Al Kuwaiti was with the National Electronic Security Authority in various appointments and capacity since 2013 where he was most recently the Executive Director of Government Operations managing National and International government relations. He had served as the Chief Technical Analyst at the Ministry of Interior where he had held other positions, such as Operations Director and CTO of the Counter Terrorism Center. Dr. Al Kuwaiti started his 20 year-long career as a Defense, Air, and Naval Military Attaché with the Embassy of The United Arab Emirates based in Washington, D.C. Dr. Al Kuwaiti has published numerous papers and keynoted at many conferences such as IEEE, RSA, Cyber Warfare Europe, Tele Strategies, ISS World MEA, IDEX, International Anti-Cyber Crimes Conference and Future War Summit. He is a highly sought after speaker internationally and has provided the main keynote address for more than 50 international, regional, and national cybersecurity events such as GITEX, GISEC and the World Government Summit, and has presented the UAE Cyber Security Framework at INTERPOL Global Cyberspace and Cybercrime Complex located in Singapore. Dr. Al Kuwaiti holds a Doctorate in Computer Engineering and Network Security from George Washington University in the U.S. and a master’s degree in Telecommunications and Computer Networks. He also holds a M.A. degree in International and Civil Security. Dr. Al Kuwaiti is an honorable member of the Society of Engineers, IEEE Society, Golden Key National Honor Society and Computer Society. His research interests are detecting, monitoring and responding to cyber warfare, network forensics, corporate governance & processes, and national cyber policy. more

First Lieutenant Nasser Al Neyadi, Head of Information Security Department, Ministry of Interior

As the Head of the Information Security Department at the Ministry of Interior UAE, I oversee the development and implementation of IT security policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with national and international standards and regulations. Additionally, I manage the incident response and recovery process, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders... to mitigate and prevent cyber risks and threats.
I hold a Bachelor's in Cyber Security and a Master of Engineering in Project Management from Abu Dhabi University, where I acquired advanced knowledge and skills in various domains, such as network security, cryptography, digital forensics, and ethical hacking. Alongside my academic journey, I have earned multiple certifications.
I am passionate about leveraging technology to enhance the security and efficiency of public services and systems, as well as to protect the data and privacy of citizens and customers. I enjoy working with a diverse and talented team of IT professionals, and I am always eager to learn new tools and techniques to stay ahead of the evolving cyber landscape. My goal is to contribute to the Ministry success and reputation by delivering reliable and resilient IT security solutions.
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Dr Ebrahim Al Alkeem, Cybersecurity and Artificial intelligence Director, Abu Dhabi Government

Dr Ebrahim Al Alkeem is a prominent expert in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity with over 18 years of experience in the field. His extensive background encompasses significant roles where he has consistently demonstrated leadership and innovative thinking.
Dr Al Alkeem has made substantial scholarly contributions to the field, authoring numerous articles... in esteemed research centres and academic journals, and serving on various advisory boards. His dedication to the dissemination of knowledge and advancement of industry standards is well recognized.
A respected voice in the artificial intelligence community, Dr Al Alkeem is a frequent keynote speaker and panellist at top-tier international conferences and summits. Here, he shares his forward-thinking perspectives and expert insights, influencing contemporary discussions in technology.
He holds a Ph.D. in Engineering with a double major in Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity from Khalifa University. His academic prowess is further enhanced by an impressive suite of global security certifications, reflecting his commitment to continuing education and mastery of the field.
Dr Al Alkeem's active participation in numerous prestigious Artificial intelligence and cybersecurity associations underscores his commitment to the global AI community and his dedication to fostering international collaboration and innovation.more

Hussain Al Khalsan, Chief Information Security Officer, ZAND

Hussain Al Khalsan joined Zand as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) in June 2019. In his role, he oversees and manages the Cyber Security Programme of Zand. He is a seasoned professional with 15 years of experience in IT Security, Information Security and Cyber Security purely in the banking and financial services industry.

Aus Alzubaidi, CISO, Director of IT & Media, MBC Group

Aus Alzubaidi is a seasoned Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) with a distinguished career spanning 19 years. He oversees all information technology and media management functions at MBC Group, the leading media and entertainment conglomerate in the MENA region. MBC Group is renowned for its top-tier content across TV, news, radio, VOD, digital platforms, and... joint ventures, including sports broadcasting, game development, media sales, and high-profile global productions.
At MBC Group, Aus has driven strategic innovation and digital transformation, leading the modernization of security operations. He has implemented advanced multi-cloud hybrid security frameworks and comprehensive attack surface management. His initiatives in IT and OT security strategies have enhanced the protection of critical infrastructure and IoT systems. Additionally, Aus has spearheaded the operationalization of Generative AI use cases, significantly boosting efficiency and productivity.
Aus played a pivotal role in MBC Group's highly successful IPO, contributing his strategic insights to achieve this significant milestone.
An active contributor to the broader cybersecurity community, Aus serves on several advisory boards, councils, and professional groups. He advises on undergraduate and postgraduate university curricula, judges graduation projects, and evaluates cybersecurity startup pitches.
His cybersecurity philosophy is anchored in the principle of defense in depth, incorporating proactive measures and rigorous best practices to mitigate significant risks. Emphasizing a Zero Trust approach and leveraging advanced AI and automation, he ensures a resilient and adaptive defense against evolving threats.
Recognized as a thought leader, Aus shares his insights at major industry events and has been honored with numerous awards. His impact on the global cybersecurity landscape is profound, reflecting his dedication to fostering innovation and resilience in the digital age.more

Zaheer Mubarak Shaikh, CISO, Al Maryah Community Bank

Zaheer Shaikh is the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) of Al Maryah Community Bank LLC, with 22 years of experience as an Information Technology (IT) professional with strong expertise in IT management, Information, Cyber Security, and IT enterprise architecture. Being a founding team member of the bank Mr. Shaikh has been demonstrating expertise in establishing... and implementing large information security and cybersecurity programs. Has designed and implemented an automated tool-based vulnerability management framework that continuously monitors and detects Cyber threats and vulnerabilities. He has also performed evaluations and selection of IT security tools and successfully implemented IT security systems to protect the availability, integrity, and confidentiality of critical business information and assets. Mr. Shaikh is a multi-certified C-suite IT security and operations leader and is an alumnus of the Great Lakes Institute of Management and Harvard University. In past, he has worked with multinational banks like Barclays, Deutsche Bank, and Mashreq and has successfully delivered critical digital transformation and security programs. more

Anoop Kumar, Head of Information Security Governance Risk and Compliance, Gulf News, Al Nisr Publishing

Anoop brought in his information security governance, risk and compliance (GRC) management experience to help GN Media to ensure project management and operational risk management, cost reduction and to improve people, process and technology performances. He has over 25 years in information technology (IT) GRC management. Anoop’s experience derived from system security... design, administration and integration in manufacturing, printing, media production, digital media development and publishing.more

Manit Sahib, Ethical Hacker, The Global Fund

Manit is an experienced offensive security expert who is certified by UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) as well as His Majesty’s CESG Check scheme (HMG CHECK). He has over ten years professional experience in both UK Government and private offensive security operations. Formerly, Manit was the Head of Penetration Testing & Red Teaming... at the Bank of England. He is contracted to Global Fund. more

Rajesh Yadla, Head of Information Security, Al Hilal Bank

Rajesh has almost 15 years of experience in information security and technology risk management. He heads the information security function at Al Hilal bank and is responsible for protecting information assets in on-premises and cloud from external and internal threats. Before joining Al Hilal, he worked in Group42 to establish the information security function... in the organisation. Prior to this, he worked as Head of International Information Security at First Abu Dhabi Bank and was responsible for managing information security for FAB’s 12 international branches. He holds a dual EMBA degree from the University of California Los Angeles & the National University of Singapore, and carries several industry-recognised certifications on cyber and information security like CISSP, CISA, ISO27001(LA) and CDPSE. Outside work, he enjoys travel, playing cricket and chess. "Cyber Security is like the brakes in the car. It slows you down, but it also makes it possible for you to go lot faster" – Dr. Gary Hinson more

Vikalp Shrivastava, Global CISO, Kerzner International

Vikalp Shrivastava carries over 22 years of experience into different technology leadership roles and currently holds the Global CISO role for Kerzner International, based in Dubai, UAE. Vikalp worked for multibillion dollar casino resort organisations... in Macau, such as Wynn Resorts and Melco Entertainment Ltd, as Group Head of information security, where he lead large teams of security professionals, He drove the initiative of ISO27001 in this organization and turned the organization the first ever ISO27001 certified casino resort organization in the world in 2009, it was a role of CISO and helped him to understand many different areas of information security challenges from internal and external risk factors. Vikalp also led large cyber-attack protection companies and vendors as head for APAC in his past and worked with several different industries such as news media, banks, telecoms, oil & gas, technology and critical infrastructure companies etc. Vikalp is a well-known name in the information and cybersecurity world as leading thought leader. more