Events
VeeamON Tour Helps Organisations Master the Art Of Modern Data Protection
Veeam Software hosted 200 registered attendees, customers, partners and industry experts at its in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia recently. The event at Al Ammariyah Hills Resort connected leading IT experts and visionaries throughout the region to share and learn about the hottest topics in the market, including Modern Data Protection, ransomware, native cloud and Kubernetes.
Mohamad Rizk, Regional Director, Middle East & CIS at Veeam Software who presented the keynote address entitled ‘The Future to Modern Data Protection’ said, “With the current digital transformation trend and emergence of the hybrid workplace, cloud, virtualization, Kubernetes and SaaS have all seen rapidly growing adoption by regional enterprises in the Middle East. They are seeking to bring flexibility, scalability, simplicity and cost benefits into their IT infrastructures by moving away from legacy data centre architectures. As such, they recognize how vital it is to have a comprehensive strategy that embraces and protects vital data across all these environments. Eliminating data protection gaps, engaging automation, and moving to an autonomous system reduces risks, improves productivity, and creates robust business continuity.”
“With increasing threats from ransomware attacks and data security challenges relating to multi-/hybrid-cloud architecture adoption, we, as a community, have rallied together to deliver the most robust solutions to our customers. Veeam provides a single platform for all data environments. Ensuring data security, protection and integrity is deeply rooted in our DNA and our continuous technology innovation has helped us reach the status of being the #1 provider in EMEA during 2H’21 in IDC’s DR&P market. VeeamON Tour Riyadh has been an excellent forum to showcase all our innovations that will help customers drive business efficiency and agility, protect their data, and ensure that they are well prepared for the next stage of their digital transformation. Our software-defined approach means there is no lock-in to proprietary hardware and works with our customers’ existing architecture, both on-premises and in the cloud.”
“Entire industries face a data protection emergency and businesses are looking for ways to accelerate their strategies to protect data, remediate cyber-attacks and recover from systems outages. Companies who succeed in accelerating their adoption of a Modern Data Protection strategy will put in place solid foundations to gain competitive advantage from digitization. It will enable them to experience the lower cost points and flexibility of the public cloud, leverage the security and proximity of the private cloud, and fast-track their development cycles by deploying Kubernetes, with the assurance that their data is protected across their entire infrastructure. Organizations should also understand that they can be vulnerable to vendor lock-in due to exponential business growth with the data protection requirements that once worked before now being, outdated and no longer viable to their current business model. Data protection solutions, like in the case of Veeam, should be flexible and scale with the customers business without the extra cost of vendor lock-in or complexity,” said Mohamad Rizk.
VeeamON Tour attendees were given a demonstration of Veeam’s latest technologies including:
- Veeam Backup & Replication v12 -the latest version of the award-winning backup solution that is at the epicenter of the future of modern data protection. New capabilities introduced with V12 will include:
- Backups going direct to object storage and cloud-based agents are also available as cloud-accelerated features
- With immutability everywhere, ransomware can be recovered and threats against cyberattacks can be stopped even faster; Improves efficiency at scale with additional enterprise application support and innovations
- A new Veeam Backup & Replication plug-in for Kasten by Veeam K10 V5.0 provides visibility and management for Kubernetes data protection.
- Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 v7
- Newly launched Veeam Backup for Salesforce
- Kasten by Veeam K100, the most complete enterprise data management solution to date purpose-built for Kubernetes; and cloud-native solutions(for AWS, Azure and Google Cloud).
Kubernetes on the rise
The session, ‘Kubernetes the Next wave of Infrastructure’, provided insights on the growing adoption of Kubernetes, the de facto platform for orchestrating containers today. According to findings of the Veeam Data Protection Trends Report 2022, 69% of UAE organizations and 76% of Saudi Arabian organizations are already running containers in production, while 29% and 22% respectively plan to do so in the next 12 months. Containers and Kubernetes have greatly simplified operations for DevOps teams, accelerating the rate at which companies can go to market with new applications and technologies, internally or externally.
Kubernetes also enables organizations to create self-healing, highly available applications. As more companies adopt containers and do their orchestration using Kubernetes, the potential attack surface will grow. This is why regional enterprises need to expand their Modern Data Protection strategies with technologies that work against a wide range of Kubernetes application stacks and deployment methods, such as Kasten K10, that completes their ability to protect these new cloud-native workloads and the business growth they support.
The last line of defence against ransomware
The incidence of ransomware is on the rise, regionally, and organizations fell prey to ransomware attacks in 2021. Against this backdrop VeeamON Tour Riyadh presented ‘Ransomware Best Practices for Secure Backup & Recovery’. Attendees discovered how secure backup is an organization’s last line of defense against ransomware and what they can do to counter the need to pay a ransom to recover their data. For businesses in the Middle East to win the ransomware battle, they must do three things – educate their employees, implement the 3-2-1-1-0 backup rule requiring 3 copies of data and have a remediation plan of a full Backup and Disaster Recovery strategy, that gives them the ability to recover data in event of a ransomware attack.
Findings from the Veeam Data Protection Trends Report 2022 that were shared with attendees included the fact that 98% of UAE organizations and 97% of Saudi organizations experienced unexpected outages within the last 12 months and on average, 17% of UAE organizations’ and 18% of Saudi organizations’ data is left completely unprotected.
Cyber Security
DESC to Highlight Dubai’s Cyber Defense Strategies as GISEC 2025 Government Partner
The Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC) is set to participate as the official government cybersecurity partner for the eighth consecutive year in the 14th edition of the Gulf Information Security Expo and Conference (GISEC Global 2025), taking place from May 6-8 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The Center’s participation in GISEC Global 2025, which gathers over 25,000 cybersecurity professionals representing more than 160 countries, aligns with its strategic objectives aimed at advancing the Dubai Cyber Security Strategy and reinforcing Dubai’s position as one of the world’s digitally safest cities.
This participation reflects the Center’s commitment to safeguarding digital infrastructure, fostering innovation, enhancing cyber resilience, and promoting robust cooperation at both the local and international levels. During the three-day event, DESC will spotlight a number of key initiatives, including the “Dubai Cyber Challenge”, an exclusive competitive simulation designed to enhance the cyber readiness of Dubai government entities, and the “School of Cyber Defense” CTF competition, which attracted registrations from over 300 university students, engaging them in technical challenges and hands-on training. These programs form a key part of DESC’s ongoing efforts to build a pipeline of skilled cybersecurity professionals equipped to navigate evolving digital threats.
H.E. Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani, CEO of the Dubai Electronic Security Center, commented, “DESC’s participation in GISEC Global 2025 reflects our steadfast commitment to securing Dubai’s digital future through proactive cybersecurity measures, innovation-driven initiatives, and an integrated ecosystem that fosters collaboration by building partnerships across public and private sectors. GISEC continues to serve as a dynamic platform where industry leaders, experts, and innovators come together to shape the future of cybersecurity.”
“GISEC 2025 provides a critical platform for strategic engagement with global cybersecurity innovators, allowing us to gain insights into emerging technologies and anticipate future threats. These interactions directly support our efforts to create forward-looking policies, develop advanced cyber solutions, and empower national talent to lead in this field. Through such initiatives, we continue to strengthen Dubai’s position as a global hub for cybersecurity excellence and digital innovation,” Al Shaibani added.
DESC experts will also take part in high-level panel discussions addressing key challenges and emerging trends in the cybersecurity landscape. The Center will also formalize strategic partnerships and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), aimed at enhancing cross-sector collaboration and strengthening national efforts to secure the cyber space.
Visitors to GISEC Global 2025 are invited to explore DESC’s initiatives at Stand A80 in Hall 7, where DESC will showcase its latest projects, including future-ready cybersecurity guidelines and certification programs designed to keep pace with the evolving digital landscape and strengthen national capabilities. The stand will also serve as a unique opportunity for attendees to engage with DESC’s experts and explore opportunities for joint collaboration.
Events
OPSWAT Joins GISEC 2025 as Middle East Confronts AI-Driven Cyber Threats
OPSWAT has announced its diamond-level sponsorship of GISEC Global 2025, the Middle East and Africa’s premier cybersecurity event. Scheduled for 6-8 May at Dubai World Trade Centre, the exhibition will be hosted by the UAE Cybersecurity Council in partnership with the Dubai Electronic Security Center.
This year’s participation underscores OPSWAT’s commitment to strengthening regional cybersecurity resilience as organizations face increasingly sophisticated threats. Attendees will have multiple opportunities to engage with OPSWAT’s cybersecurity experts through interactive demonstrations, thought leadership sessions, and specialized training programs.

Sertan Selcuk, Vice President for METAP and CIS, OPSWAT
“Our main focus at GISEC Global 2025 will be critical infrastructure, the lynchpin of economic progress and an increasingly popular target for threat actors,” said Sertan Selcuk, Vice President for METAP and CIS, OPSWAT. “Our partnerships will involve devising ways of protecting the interconnected systems and technologies that drive the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Through our demonstrations and discussions at GISEC 2025, OPSWAT experts will show how our solutions directly address the latest cybersecurity challenges, especially the ongoing merger of IT and OT.”
The company will showcase its innovative solutions through two unique exhibits. The CIP Mobile Lab, operated by OP/X Labs, will provide live demonstrations of industry-leading technologies designed to protect critical infrastructure. Visitors can gain practical insights into securing vital operational systems against modern cyber threats.
Complementing this will be OPSWAT’s Nuclear Plant Model Reactor display, illustrating the company’s specialized capabilities in securing highly sensitive environments. The exhibit will demonstrate real-world applications of OPSWAT’s technology through an interconnected display with the mobile lab.
OPSWAT’s experts will present across multiple stages during the three-day event:
- On the opening day, security professionals can attend a live hacking demonstration on the Dark Stage, revealing current vulnerabilities in today’s threat landscape.
- Day two features two significant presentations. Founder and CEO Benny Czarny will deliver a keynote address titled “Breaking the Firewall: Revolutionizing Cyber Defense for a Connected World” on the Government Stage. His session will challenge conventional security paradigms and propose innovative approaches to counter AI-driven threats and encrypted attacks.
- Simultaneously, Director of Products and Solutions Kris Voorspoels will participate in a Critical Infrastructure Stage panel discussion examining security challenges in the regional oil and gas sector’s Industrial IoT (IIoT) ecosystem. The session will explore security implications of connected devices in petrochemical operations and strategies for protecting this vital economic sector.
Supporting the UAE National Cybersecurity Strategy’s capacity-building objectives, OPSWAT Academy will offer complimentary certification courses throughout the event. Professionals can earn credentials in File Security (OFSA), Secure Storage (OSSA), Email Security (OESA), Web Traffic Protection (OWPA), and Data Transfer Security (ODSA).
At GISEC Global 2025, OPSWAT will exhibit from Stand C55, Hall 7.
Cyber Security
Kuwait Renews Cyber First Initiative to Strengthen Digital Defenses for Vision 2035
In a time of accelerating digital transformation, the 3rd Cyber First Kuwait Edition took center stage at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Kuwait, bringing together over 300 technology leaders, cybersecurity professionals, and policymakers to address the country’s evolving digital threat landscape and cybersecurity vision. Organized by Events First Group, the conference supports the new Kuwait Vision 2035 and the nation’s ambitious National Cybersecurity Strategy.
The summit will feature keynote presentations, expert panel discussions, real-world case studies, and an exhibition showcasing cutting-edge solutions. Topics will span AI-powered threat detection, OT/ICS infrastructure security, cloud resilience, Zero Trust frameworks, and national-level collaboration between public and private sectors.
Abdullah Al Shaheen, Director of Public Relations and Media Department at National cybersecurity center said, “This edition of the Cyber First Conference, held under the patronage of the National Cybersecurity Center serves as a platform for business leaders, professionals to come together and exchange experiences, share best practices, and explore the latest developments for security and protection against the rapidly evolving cyber threats and attacks. These challenges require us to remain informed and constantly evolving.”
“The National Cybersecurity Center in the State of Kuwait is working to build an effective system to protect the cyberspace by collaborating with both local and international entities in the field of cybersecurity. This is to create a safe digital environment, while maintaining the trust of technology operators and users. We hope this conference will serve as a gateway to more important meetings and events that focus on cybersecurity,” he added.
“Cyber First Kuwait is a national dialogue and strategic catalyst,” said Shyam Reddy, Partnerships Director. “With Vision 2035 and the National Cybersecurity Strategy serving as our guiding frameworks, this summit brings together government and enterprise to create actionable pathways toward a digitally secure and resilient Kuwait.”
The conference featured keynotes, panels, one-on-one networking sessions, a cybersecurity hackathon, and the Kuwait Cybersecurity Awards, recognizing trailblazers across innovation, leadership, and operational excellence. The event hosted over 300 delegates, including CISOs, risk management leaders, OT and cloud architects, regulators, leading solution providers, more than 20 sponsors, 15 media partners, and 10 ministries.
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