Deploying AI without a security-first mindset can be perilous and Rob outlines the significant risks enterprises face if they implement AI without proper security safeguards in place. Navigating this new terrain requires a strategic approach, as Rob touches upon what a “risk-based” AI security framework looks like and provides actionable steps on how organizations should begin building one to protect their AI deployments:

A recent report shows that women worldwide account for only 24 per cent of security teams. To help increase this figure and break down barriers in this sophisticated and complex field, GISEC’s Inspire Programme returns, spotlighting female leaders who can shape the future of cybersecurity. Featuring a series of sessions highlighting the achievements and insights of female cyber security professionals, it includes keynote speeches, panel discussions and interactive sessions led by distinguished female leaders and changemakers.

The cybersecurity super-connector’s agenda includes dedicated panel discussions and workshops focusing on women, and the event is set to welcome hundreds of experts from around the world. The event’s distinguished list of eight female speakers includes: H.E. Tigist Hamid Mohammed, Director General at Information Network Security Administration (INSA); Dr. Bushra AlBlooshi, Director of Cybersecurity Governance Risk Management Department at DESC; Francel Margareth Padilla, Female Cybersecurity Leader & Evangelist at Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Pei Ling LEE, Head of Cyber Strategy and Capabilities Development at INTERPOL and others.

Among those taking to the stage is Aarti Borkar, Corporate Vice President of Customer Success and Incident Response for Microsoft’s Security business. A passionate supporter when it comes to encouraging women to pursue a career in technology, she believes it is crucial that women are given opportunities to leverage their expertise, given the ever-more sophisticated evolution of cyber threats.

She said: “The need for cognitive diversity in cybersecurity is foundational as it’s the only way we can see a situation in a full 360-degree view. It allows us to build more comprehensive programmes. We tend to describe cybersecurity in terms of warfare and attack scenarios, whereas security going forward is about analytics, predictive models and proactive protection.

“Organisations need to continue to highlight the importance of diverse and cohesive teams to improve the outcomes we need in the cyber security space and highlight the amazing women that are doing truly innovative work so other females are inspired to follow them. Every action counts towards building a more cognitively diverse workforce.” Her views come at a time where the advent of AI is helping to strengthen security systems and cyber defences while also presenting potential risks that can benefit cyber criminals.

“Historically, security by obscurity was relied upon, but AI can find everything, necessitating proactive data security measures,” she added. “On the other hand, AI tips the balance between defenders and attackers in favour of the defenders. As AI adoption grows, the relationship between AI and data security becomes crucial. If we employ AI to help us with improving the speed and accuracy of catching incidents early and improving our hunting capabilities it truly changes the game.”

Danni Brooke is another female industry leader attending GISEC Global as a speaker. As co-owner and co-founder of OSINT Group, she brings her expertise in covert operations, intelligence, and cybercrime into the digital world, having spent over a decade undercover, infiltrating some of the UK’s most dangerous criminal organisations.

With a strong commitment to empowering women, Brooke, who is also an award-winning author and a member of the Cybersecurity Board of Advisors, believes human effort is vital to protecting data and information, and that more needs to be done to highlight the different roles available within the industry.

She said, “One of the biggest risks in the future of cybersecurity is the increasing sophistication of social engineering attacks. As technology evolves, so do the tactics used by cybercriminals, who are now leveraging AI, deepfakes, and behavioural analysis to manipulate individuals into unwittingly compromising their own security. AI and ML (machine learning) will be crucial in detecting and responding to cyber threats in real time, using behavioural analysis to identify anomalies, prevent attacks, and automate defences. I strongly believe that a human is essential in any threat intelligence operation. While automation plays a critical role in speeding up detection and response, humans are absolutely needed to help plot and piece the data jigsaw together. The ability to interpret patterns, understand context, intuition and make informed decisions is something that machines alone cannot replicate.”

She added, “One of the biggest barriers to diversity in cybersecurity is the misconception that it is purely a technical field. Many people are unaware that cybersecurity encompasses a wide range of roles, including threat intelligence, risk management, policy development, governance and human behaviour analysis. Organisations should focus on outreach and education, highlighting these opportunities to attract a more diverse talent pool.”

The three-day GISEC Global 2025 at Dubai World Trade Centre is set to attract over 750 global cybersecurity brands as well as over 25,000 professionals from more than 160 countries. It will feature a packed schedule including thought-provoking debates and engaging discussions as well as all-new OT Security and a National Security Programme.

As pioneers forging a complex and dynamic career path, seasoned security architect Alina Tan, esteemed cybersecurity advisor Judy Ngure, and cybersecurity influential digital creator Caitlin Sarian are among the headliners and stand as powerful symbols of female perseverance, talent, and advocacy. Their unique contributions to the cybersecurity space have seen ground-breaking impact across the automotive industry, corporate landscape, and social media – while collectively, they continue to expand the industry’s understanding of inclusivity and the subsequent potential for even greater innovation.

Judy Ngure, Founder and CEO of Bug Bounty Box

A prominent presence in Singapore’s automotive cybersecurity industry – and one of the Top 30 Women in Security in ASEAN – Alina Tan is a powerful representation of female success in a largely male-dominated field. Her passion for cybersecurity stemmed from a personal interest in motorsport, which saw her leverage the synergy between the two to establish a specialised interest group, Car Security Quarter, dedicated to automotive security within her local community. She also spearheads the Singapore Chapter of the Automotive Security Research Group, a global non-profit that promotes knowledge sharing and the development of security solutions.

“I firmly believe in the power of representation and visibility,” said Tan. “Through my experiences, insights, and accomplishments, I aim to demonstrate that women can excel in cybersecurity and thrive in diverse roles within the industry. Notable initiatives in the Middle East, such as GISEC Global, feature dedicated stages for Women in Cybersecurity, providing a large-scale platform to showcase talent and inspire a new generation of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).”

Tan will be joined in the Inspire conference at GISEC Global 2024 by Judy Ngure, the founder and CEO of Bug Bounty Box, a platform to help security leaders manage vulnerabilities. A cybersecurity practitioner for over five years, she sits on various advisory boards across Africa, supporting organisations in furthering diversity in the cybersecurity field. Ngure also co-authored a book titled “African Women in Security: Remarkable Women Moving Cybersecurity in Africa”, which aims to celebrate women in the field, demonstrate their value and inspire other women to enter the industry.

Caitlin Sarian, Founder and Executive Director of Cybersecurity Girl

Caitlin Sarian, also known as Cybersecurity Girl, is a dominant cybersecurity influencer with a comprehensive career history – including a decade of consulting experience at the likes of EY and a previous role at TikTok’s Global Cybersecurity Advocacy and Culture team. As well as attending the Women in Cybersecurity Roundtable, Caitlin will be leading a talk titled ‘The flawed path: debunking the efficacy of current cybersecurity training approaches and how we can improve our future,’ in which she hopes to relay the urgent need to overhaul outdated education methods in favour of training strategies that prioritise real-world application and critical thinking.

Tan, Ngure, and Sarian agree that for many young women, there may be a sense of not receiving the support, recognition, and validation they deserve for their contributions to cybersecurity. A lack of inclusive programmes and opportunities for professional growth often results in feelings of being side-lined, which can dampen enthusiasm for pursuing a career in the industry.

An especially significant barrier to upskilling women in cybersecurity is a pervasive lack of understanding of what the field entails. While many assume it is strictly about coding, it has proven to be a multifaceted profession that requires a variety of skills – from analytical expertise and problem-solving to communication and creativity. An overwhelming number of available bootcamps and online courses can also make it difficult for beginners to start, with the information overload often leading to confusion and discouragement before women have even stepped foot into the industry.

Alina Tan, Security Architect and Founder of Division Zero’s Car Security Quarter

“The biggest challenge is getting women excited about technical topics in cybersecurity because it looks like a very male-dominated environment – which it is,” said Ngure. “The other key challenge is retaining women in the cybersecurity field; I have seen many women move from technical cyber roles to non-technical jobs. I do encourage women to upskill compared to moving because we need more women active in the industry’s technical leadership positions.”

Sarian agreed saying, “Increased female participation in cybersecurity is not just a matter of equity – it’s a strategic necessity. The field of cybersecurity benefits immensely from diversity, as it brings different perspectives, ideas, and approaches to problem-solving. Women, with their unique experiences and viewpoints, can drive innovation and enhance the effectiveness of cybersecurity measures. As the industry becomes more inclusive, we can expect a more holistic approach to security challenges – one that has the potential to result in more robust and comprehensive security strategies that strengthen our defence against cyber threats.”

Addressing these challenges can be achieved through a variety of avenues, largely led by governments and enterprises, to create more opportunities for women in tech, cybersecurity, and defence. On a corporate level, enterprises can adjust their recruitment and hiring processes to eliminate any unconscious biases, as well as partner with female-focused organisations to support with targeted outreach efforts.

Mentorship and development are also essential to ensure that women are receiving the senior support they need and are positioned to undertake ongoing training and development to fuel their career growth. Awareness and advocacy remain top-of-mind and play a crucial role in championing female role models in the industry, highlighting their achievements and contributions to the wider cybersecurity community. Awards ceremonies, media campaigns, and conferences can stir conversations around female success and entrepreneurship in the industry.

Governments are able to further drive accessibility through education and training initiatives that encourage girls to pursue STEM education and careers, along with dedicated scholarships and grants to fund their academic journey. At a higher level, policy and legislation can better equip businesses to deliver equal pay and opportunity – as well as flexible working policies to attract and retain top female talent – while cross-industry partnerships serve as a powerful tool for collaboration to foster a more diverse and inclusive tech workforce.

GISEC GLOBAL’s CISO Circle will deep-dive into the most pressing cybersecurity challenges affecting enterprises and governments in the post-pandemic era, including the dangers posed by state-sponsored hackers, organised hacking groups, and insider threats, all of which now represent a constant menace in the digital age. HE Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security, UAE Government, said, “The UAE Cyber Security council fully supports GISEC’s initiative of creating an InfoSec leaders inner circle with the mission to discuss key challenges to help build cyber resilience of businesses in the UAE.”

The first CISO Circle meeting will be hosted alongside the upcoming edition of GITEX GLOBAL, the super-connector technology event organised by Dubai World Trade Centre taking place from 10th-14th October. Organised in partnership with the UAE’s most influential cyber entities to curate and prioritise regional cybersecurity agendas, including the UAE Cybersecurity Council, Dubai Electronic Security Center, the Telecommunications & Digital Government Regulatory Authority, and Dubai Police, GISEC GLOBAL 2023, hosted from 14th-16th March, will be a meeting point for the cybersecurity ecosystem that unites the industry’s leading brands and minds during three days of unparalleled conference sessions, keynotes, partner seminars, and interactive sessions.

Cybersecurity experts on the GISEC GLOBAL CISO Circle:

Ahmed Al Zarouni, GISEC GLOBAL advisory board member, said, “GISEC GLOBAL’s CISO Circle is a significant component of the widespread cybersecurity culture, which is crucial in advancing the technological requirements of modern lifestyles and services. GISEC GLOBAL looks forward to growing and supporting the region’s cybersecurity community and ecosystem.”

Amer Sharaf, Director, Compliance, Support, And Alliances, Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC), said, “GISEC GLOBAL’s CISO Circle will play an important role in driving thought leadership in regional cybersecurity. At a time where information sharing and collaboration between governments is essential in mitigating threats, GISEC GLOBAL’s CISO Circle will provide opportunities for cybersecurity leaders to strengthen their security posture through knowledge sharing.”

Fuad Al Ansari, GISEC GLOBAL advisory board member, said, “As malicious actors continue to exploit cybersecurity weaknesses for their own gain, it is now more important than ever for CISOs to collaborate in order to enhance their own knowledge to increase the defences of their organisation. The GISEC GLOBAL CISO Circle will actively support the region’s cybersecurity community with information that will be vital in fending off increasingly sophisticated attacks.”

Hussain AlKhalsan, CISO, Zand, said, “As the cyberthreat landscape continues to evolve, CISOs are facing an increasingly demanding and varied volume of threats. Interaction between industry peers is hugely valuable for chief information security officers, and I look forward to participating in GISEC GLOBAL’s CISO Circle’s initiatives, which will give CISOs important insight into critical cybersecurity issues.”

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