A major annual summit that will focus on enhancing digital security and technology in Bahrain and the Arab region will make its return in November.
The third edition of the Arab International Cybersecurity Conference and Exhibition will be held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, at Exhibition World Bahrain.
It will bring together an elite group of international experts, decision-makers and representatives from the public and private sectors worldwide.
This was confirmed yesterday during a Press conference held at the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance in Manama, led by National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) chief executive Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa and DEF CON founder Jeff Moss.
Shaikh Salman said the conference, on November 5 and 6, will look at enhancing knowledge about cybersecurity and addressing rapid developments in the field.
“Most services these days, especially in banking and finance, are done through online services and mobile applications such as BenefitPay,” said Shaikh Salman.
“More and more companies are striving to develop such services, meaning we have to be more cautious and prepared as technology develops.
“During cyberattacks, it is normally such services and applications that are targeted first, and we need to build our defences properly.
“That is where events, like the Arab International Cybersecurity Conference and Exhibition, become crucial. Previous editions have shown that there is lot of information that we can learn from experts and representatives.”
Shaikh Salman added that this year’s edition will focus on cybersecurity ‘on a deeper level’ compared to previous years, where the event only ‘scratched the surface’.
He praised Bahrainis and said they had a ‘great appetite’ to learn about cybersecurity.
“Last year, participants wanted more in-depth information about discussed topics, which the conference looks to deliver this year,” he added.
“Cybersecurity has always gotten gradually better in Bahrain due to the community, especially in information technology (IT) and artificial intelligence (AI).
“We can turn this desire into an opportunity. We can not only serve Bahrain, but with cloud technology, we can help other countries in the region as well.
“Digitisation is increasing in Bahrain and there is a need to educate companies and agencies, and I am looking forward to seeing everyone work together in November.”
Shaikh Salman also added that there will be a special DEF CON group based in Bahrain that is expected to benefit the kingdom’s cybersecurity sector in the years to come.
A number of agreements were signed yesterday, including one between NCSC and DEF CON. As part of this partnership, the conference will introduce interactive DEF CON Villages, offering hands-on experience in critical fields such as artificial intelligence, industrial control systems, cloud security and space technologies.
Mr Moss said that the agreement was ‘a long time coming’ and praised Bahrain’s initiatives and desire to enhance online safety.
“Bahrain is just right for DEF CON,” said Mr Moss.
“People are hungry for alternatives and solutions and the government is always looking for opinions to stay ahead of the curve.
“We want to inspire the next generation and give them what they want; if they want AI, we will give them AI.
“We are excited to see what the community is like here and are looking forward to helping the Bahraini government stay on top of their game.”
&uuid=(email))