Events
Intersec Dubai 2023 Opens Tomorrow With 800+ Exhibitors
The 24th edition of Intersec opens at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) tomorrow spanning more than 48,000 square-metres and running across nine halls and the Trade Centre Arena. The event, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, will feature 800 exhibitors from Australia, the UK, Europe, the Middle East, the Balkans, Russia, CIS, North and South America, North and South Africa, Asia, Scandinavia, the USA, and the Indian Subcontinent. The exhibitor profile represents a 54 per cent rise since 2022 with 180 new-to-show participants. Of the 55 nations represented by exhibitors, 10 will have their own national pavilions: Canada, China, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, South Africa, Singapore, Turkey, and the UK.
“This year’s show will feature some of the biggest industry names, alongside new entrants to the sector,” said Alex Nicholl, Show Director of event organiser Messe Frankfurt Middle East. “We have 42 newcomers from the Emirates this year, which means the UAE now accounts for 20 per cent of our exhibitor profile. Saudi Arabian participants are up 20 per cent too, while we have also seen particularly strong growth from India, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, Iraq, Qatar, Nigeria, and Egypt.”
Nicholl added that the growth is largely down to positive industry forecasts, high demand for solutions to combat increasing cybercrime, and strong international support from government and professional organisations, such as the UAE Cybersecurity Council, Saudi Arabia’s National Security Services – SAFE, and Huawei. Dr. Aloysius Cheang, Chief Security Officer, Huawei Middle East & Central Asia, said, “If you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, either you are looking the wrong way or you are the light. Start looking at the right way by being part of the community, joining events such as Intersec and start sharing because Cybersecurity is a team sport! And through sharing, you will become a beacon for others. This is why I am here and why Huawei is part of Intersec – to light up your future!”
Major new entrants include Thales of France, Singapore’s ST Engineering, Saudi Arabia’s SAFE, Germany’s AGMC/BMW, Israel’s D-FEND, the UAE’s Tabbara, Holland’s Robin Radar, Sigma Security of Greece, Poland’s Megavision, and VX Ray of the USA. The event will run from Tuesday until Thursday, with dedicated product showcases for commercial and perimeter security, homeland security, fire and rescue, safety and health, cybersecurity and special features, plus a powerful conference and knowledge-sharing programme.
Special features include the Attack Zone, which will be hosted by the Loss Prevention Certification Board and see exhibitors testing their products in live-action demonstrations; and the Safety Walk – sponsored by EnSafe Evacuation Chair, Jutec, and Teijin – which promises “a catwalk of industrial safety gear”. Meanwhile, the Tech Stage will unveil innovations, including virtual reality solutions, anti-drone technology, and new safety materials.
In the Start Smart Zone, start-ups will connect with decision-makers, buyers, and potential investors, while the purpose-built Future Defenders Hack Arena will see cybersecurity teams from schools, universities and CISOs compete for prizes and industry recognition. “Forecasts reveal an industry eager to invest,” said Nicholl. “The Middle East’s homeland security market is expected to grow annually by 14.5 per cent by 2024, while the commercial security market is set for 16.5 per cent annual growth to reach US$2.3 billion in value by 2026. Rising cybercrime is also fuelling demand with the Middle East and African market estimated to grow 14.35 per cent annually to 2030.”
Intersec this year also includes cybersecurity awareness sessions for students and sector professionals with Cybernode, a partnership between the Dubai Electronic Security Centre (DESC) and Thales, looking to up-skill the region’s cyber workforce. The main Intersec Conference features four dedicated streams and over 150 speakers. The invite-only, two-day Intersec Security Leaders’ Summit is a high-level strategic convention for policymakers and decision-makers to collaborate, innovate, and seek new technologies. The gathering will address government strategies, homeland security and policing commercial and perimeter security, and cutting-edge technologies.
There will also be an on-stage conversation around the development of a holistic approach to large event security management in which FIFA’s Director of Safety, Security, and Access will share learnings from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Other conference highlights will be keynotes by DESC’s Dr Bushra Al Blooshi, Head of Research & Innovation, on pioneering the digital economy, and another by Adrian Whelan, SVP, Head of Global Security at DHL Express, focusing on a future supply chain security roadmap.
The UAE Cybersecurity Council will also host a dedicated Cybersecurity Conference with attendees hearing from government leaders, CSOs and CISOs across oil and gas, BFSI, healthcare, hospitality, and energy and utility industries. A dedicated Fire & Rescue Conference will be hosted by Dubai Civil Defence and will see the region’s fire and emergency service leaders delve into the key challenges, opportunities, standards, policies, and technology. Meanwhile, a highly focussed Safety & Health Seminar will explore MENA’s new regulatory changes.
Intersec 2023 will also recognise the best of the security and safety industries through its awards programme, which has attracted 1,256 entrants – including 54 that have been shortlisted to be recognised at a gala dinner at the Ritz Carlton DIFC on Wednesday 18th January. Messe Frankfurt Middle East anticipates Intersec 2023 will also deliver the event’s highest visitor turnout with pre-registrations showing an increase of 133 percent in 2021. Pre-registered visitors span 111 countries with first-time visitors coming from, among other countries, Ethiopia, and Kenya.
Intersec 2023 is supported by Dubai Police, the Directorate General of Dubai Civil Defence, Dubai Municipality, the Security Industry Regulatory Agency, the UAE’s Cyber Security Council and Dubai Electronic Security Centre. The event has a comprehensive sponsor portfolio that includes NAFFCO, Saudi Arabia’s National Security Services – SAFE, Dahua Technology, Hikvision, Digifort, Western Digital, Ateis VELOX, Commport, Monitoreal, Honeywell, PERCo, FM Approvals, Huawei, Cellebrite, NX Digital Technology, Onvif, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. It will be open to trade visitors daily from 10 am until 6 pm.
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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