Within the framework of the continuous endeavors and efforts to enhance joint Arab action and regional and global cooperation, the Arab ICT Organization, in cooperation with “Mercury Communications”, organized the Third International Conference on Information Security and Cybersecurity CAISEC ’24 “Cyber & Information Security Exhibition & Conference” on June 3 and 4, 2024 at the Nile Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Cairo Under the patronage of His Excellency the Prime Minister, Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, in the Arab Republic of Egypt and in the presence of His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Abul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States.
This conference witnessed the participation of many Arab and international ministries, authorities and companies, in addition to more than 20 Egyptian ministries, authorities and governmental institutions.
Under the theme ‘Securing the Future’ , the 2024 edition of Caisec’24 addressed a range of vital topics in the cybersecurity sectors, including ways to prepare for the rise of cyberattacks at the state level, cyber threat intelligence, evolving cybercriminal strategies, and strengthening digital banking defenses.
The event also delved into cyber resilience in the financial sector, the role of governance and risk management in organizational protection, key security challenges within the telecommunications industry, detection of deepfakes, and all aspects related to cloud computing security, ransomware, generative artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and other critical topics.
Caisec’24 hosted a variety of specialized workshops tailored to the banking, fintech, operational technology, oil and gas, and government sectors, along with sessions within the framework of the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP).
The conference was inaugurated by His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General of the League of Arab States. In his speech, he emphasized the League’s special interest in digital transformation and its challenges, highlighting the importance of cybersecurity. He pointed out the assignment of AICTO to address this crucial topic and praised AICTO’s significant achievements, such as elaborating the Arab Vision for Cybersecurity in 2021 and launching the Arab Strategy for Cybersecurity today.
In the same context, he also referenced the recent resolution by the Arab Summit held in Bahrain, which approved the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s initiative to establish the Council of Arab Cybersecurity Ministers with its permanent headquarters in Riyadh. He highlighted the exceptional contribution this Council will make to the Arab system in enhancing cybersecurity.
In his opening address, H.E. Eng. Mohamed Ben Amor, Director General of the Arab ICT Organization, underscored the pivotal role of cybersecurity in today’s digital landscape, safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data across diverse systems. with cyber threats growing in complexity and frequency, implementing robust security measures is essential to shield individuals, businesses, and government entities from malicious activities.
He also outlined the challenges confronting the Arab region in cybersecurity, including rapid technological advancements, inadequate awareness of cyber issues, the evolution and complexity of cyber threats, and legal and regulatory hurdles. According to a report by Trend Micro, cyber threats surged by 17% in the Middle East during the first half of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.
Despite these challenges, H.E. Eng. Ben Amor praised the efforts of several Arab countries that have achieved advanced positions in the field of cybersecurity, such as the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Qatar, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and the Arab Republic of Egypt. He emphasized that these countries are taking effective measures to protect their technological and information infrastructure and to enhance cyber awareness among their citizens.
For his part, H.E. Mr. Osama Kamal, CEO of Mercury Communications, stated that cybersecurity has become a top priority for both countries and companies, especially in the Middle East. The region is experiencing significant technological advancements in digital transformation and the development of essential mega projects, including data centers, artificial intelligence technologies, and cloud computing. These advancements necessitate the collaboration of all stakeholders to present an exceptional edition of the Caisec’24 Conference and Exhibition.
He added, “Our region has never seen such significant interest in cybersecurity issues as it is witnessing now. This topic frequently arises in conversations and meetings among the region’s leaders, business executives, and investors. It has become clear that the most advanced countries in this field will be more attractive to international investments, better equipped to protect their national security, and more prepared to seize future opportunities. Therefore, we have invested substantial effort and dedication into launching a unique edition of the Caisec’24 Conference and Exhibition. We hope it will be an inspiring event for all those interested in the sector.”