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International Defense Heads to be Present at the Second Edition of World Defense Show

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As the countdown begins to its second edition in February, World Defense Show, under the esteemed patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, has revealed some of the industry titans and senior government figures who will address the show’s visitors and exhibitors over four days. WDS 2024, which will be held between 4-8 Feb 2024, in Riyadh, KSA, will host the exclusive Future Defense Leadership Forum on Preview Day, followed by four days of exciting interactive industry discussion and demonstration in the main conference room and across dedicated content theatres, in three of the exhibition halls.

The Future Defense Leadership Forum at the World Defense Show 2024 will commence with an address by HE Ahmad Abdulaziz Al-Ohali, Governor of the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI). This exclusive event, attended by high-level government and private sector delegates from the global defense industry, is set to delve into national policy, technology, and innovation, offering insights into both Saudi and global perspectives on defense and security challenges over the next decade. The forum will feature a series of compelling keynote addresses, including ‘Enhancing KSA’s Investment Ecosystem’ by HE. Khalid Al Falih, Minister of Investment, and a discussion on ‘Defense/Force Readiness by HE. General Fayyadh Al Ruwaili, Chief of the General Staff of the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces. Additionally, HE. Ahmed Al Khateeb, Chairman of SAMI, will address ‘Security and Stability in the New Saudi Era,’ underscoring the importance of innovation and adaptation in defense technology.

The forum will also host pivotal panel discussions, ‘The People Challenge: Attracting, Upskilling and Retaining the Right Talent for the Defense sector’ will bring together HE. Prof. Haluk GÖRGÜN, President of the Defence Industry Agency (SSB), Turkey; Eng. Walid Abukhaled, CEO of SAMI; Sulaiman Albabtain, CEO & Chairman of SOFON Industries; and Éric Béranger, CEO of MBDA. Another significant panel, ‘Innovating at the Speed of Relevance: Managing the Defense Technology Challenge,’ will feature HE. Dr. Faleh AlSulaiman, Governor of GADD; Dr Charles Woodburn, CEO of BAE Systems; Stephanie C. Hill, President of Rotary & Mission Systems at Lockheed Martin; and Pierre Éric Pommellet, Chairman and CEO of Naval Group.

Innovation is a strong theme of the Day 2 program which hosts key industry figures, such as, – Rob Merriweather Technology Director, BAE Systems and Chris Brown, Vice President Strategy & Global Business Development, General Dynamics, leading a panel on achieving innovation goals across the industry, while Tim Cahill, President, Missiles and Fire Control, Lockheed Martin will discuss exploiting innovation across the battlespace. General (Retd) Tom Middendorp, Chairman, International Military Council on Climate and Security, Former Chief of Defense of The Netherlands will deliver a keynote on environmental sustainability in the defense industry.  Nichola Bates, Managing Partner at Aerospace Xelerated and Head of Global Accelerators and Innovation Programs, Boeing will provide insight on Defense Innovation Units to foster collaboration with startups.

Technology development steps into the spotlight on Day 3, with Major Gen (Rtd) Adam Findlay, Former Commander Special Operations addressing civilian-military technology development and cooperation and Sir Stu Atha, Director of Training Strategy, BAE Systems providing insight on the future of human-machine interface and Stephanie Hill, President, Rotary and Mission Systems, Lockheed Martin discussing transforming aerospace and defense for the 21st Century.

Building on the huge success of the program in 2022, the International Women in Defense program returns, spearheaded by HRH Ambassador Reema, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the United States. The event will also feature Heidi Grant, Vice President of Defense Global Growth & Engagement at Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) who will be joined by national diversity champions and industry figureheads including Maj. Gen. Adel Al-Balawi, Head of Armed Forces Education and Training Authority, KSA.

On Day 5, the Future Talent program will recognize the importance of nurturing and developing the next generation of defense professionals. The session will be opened with a keynote address by HE Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan, Minister of Education, setting the stage for insightful discussions on the future of human capital in defense. Dr. Alex Walmsley, defense analyst and RUSI Associate Fellow, will moderate a high-level panel on ‘The Human Capital Growth Model for Defense.’ Additionally, the program will feature a presentation on ‘The People Challenge: An Industrial Perspective’ by Jason Monahan, VP & General Manager, General Dynamics, offering valuable insights into workforce development from an industry standpoint.

Andrew Pearcey, CEO World Defense Show, said, “We are delighted to confirm an exciting program of industry-leading international and regional speakers, who will address visitors and exhibitors in people, technology and capability-focused discussions. World Defense Show is not just an exhibition of groundbreaking technology, the event offers a chance for the leaders in the field of defense to convene for the shared purpose of addressing the challenges facing the industry and the world. WDS’s role as an enabler of global collaboration will extend beyond the event itself, providing a platform for countries to engage in international cooperation.”

Cyber Security

DESC to Highlight Dubai’s Cyber Defense Strategies as GISEC 2025 Government Partner

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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.

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Events

OPSWAT Joins GISEC 2025 as Middle East Confronts AI-Driven Cyber Threats

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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:

  1. On the opening day, security professionals can attend a live hacking demonstration on the Dark Stage, revealing current vulnerabilities in today’s threat landscape.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

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Cyber Security

Kuwait Renews Cyber First Initiative to Strengthen Digital Defenses for Vision 2035

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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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