- published 11/20/24 11:21 AM •
- updated 28 November 2024 •
- 2 min
Intersec Conclusion 2024
Dubai, January 19 / WAM /The UAE Cyber Security Council concluded its participation yesterday in the 25th edition of the Intersec Exhibition, the world’s largest trade fair for safety, security, and fire protection services. The event was held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from January 16 to 18.
During its participation, the Council highlighted the critical importance of cybersecurity in safeguarding the nation's cyberspace and enhancing its position as a global hub for cybersecurity. The Council also showcased its latest achievements, including the launch of the National Cybersecurity Strategy in 2023.
The Council participated in various sessions and activities held on the sidelines of the exhibition, covering topics such as combating cybercrime, protecting personal data, and building cybersecurity capacities. Additionally, the "in{:cyber}" platform hosted the "Hack Arena" competition, a three-day challenge for cybersecurity experts in the Middle East.
His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Hamad Al Kuwaiti, Head of the UAE Cyber Security Council, praised the exhibition's success and emphasized the UAE’s role as a global cybersecurity innovation center.
Dr. Al Kuwaiti stated, "Our participation in Intersec is a significant opportunity to connect with local and international partners and exchange insights and expertise in cybersecurity. The exhibition highlights the UAE's efforts to protect its cyberspace and strengthen its position as a global cybersecurity hub."
H.E added, "We have made significant progress in cybersecurity over the past years and will continue to build on this through the implementation of the National Cybersecurity Strategy and strategic partnerships with government and private sector entities."
Among the Council’s key activities at Intersec 2024 was a panel discussion on digital sector collaboration: “Fostering Multilateralism and Strong Partnerships for a Safer Future.” The panel featured Ahmed El Raghy, Senior Advisor at the ITU Regional Office, His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Dr. Ahmed Ali Abdel Hafez, Vice President for Cybersecurity Affairs at Egypt’s National Telecom Regulatory Authority, Craig Jones, Cybercrime Director at Interpol, and Eman Al Awadhi, Vice President for Networks and Cybersecurity at Dubai Expo City.
The discussion emphasized the importance of collaboration across various digital sector entities to enhance cybersecurity and protect cyberspace.
In collaboration with Mallcroft and the Emirates Capture the Flag Foundation (CTF.ae), the Council also organized several workshops and events focusing on cybersecurity topics such as combating cybercrime, safeguarding personal data, and capacity building. Over 200 participants from government and private sectors, as well as students and cybersecurity enthusiasts, attended these activities.
The in{:cyber} Hack Arena competition saw the participation of more than 100 experts from various Arab countries. This challenge aimed to strengthen the capabilities of cybersecurity professionals in the region and discover new talent in the field.
Summary
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As part of the weekly awareness campaign of the ‘Cyber Pulse’ initiative launched by the Cyber Security Council, the Council highlighted the critical importance of cloud storage in addressing the growing digital and cyber threats. In its weekly awareness message, the campaign highlighted that cloud storage enables individuals and users to reduce risks, limit fraudsters’ access to user data, and safeguard personal information. The Council also pointed out several common cloud storage mistakes that individuals must avoid to protect their personal and financial data in cyberspace. The weekly awareness campaign noted that the most prominent of these mistakes include granting excessive identity and access management permissions, failing to enable multi-factor authentication, overreliance on public cloud storage that may expose sensitive data and facilitate the spread of malware, misconfigured security settings that leave critical systems vulnerable, absence of encryption (both at rest and in transit), and downloading applications without verifying their source or security standards. These mistakes expose many users to significant risks that directly threaten their digital security.
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