The halls are jam packed on day one of RSA Conference 2015 Abu Dhabi! It’s a busy expo floor, with plenty of opportunities to learn, meet with vendors and network with peers from around the region. The Vendor Showcase area seems to be a big hit, as show attendees walked around the floor, listening to vendor representatives demonstrate their solutions.
It was also nice to see the RSAC CyberSafety: Kids exhibit that’s come to the region for the first time! Joined by ISC2 and Microsoft, RSAC is handing out nifty tools that can help kids to stay safe online.
The event kicked off with the official opening keynote by Saif Al Nuaimi, Chief of Regulatory and Strategic Affairs of the UAE National Electronic Security Authority. He shared great insights on how the UAE has come a long way over a short period of time, to become an advanced digital economy. But he was also quick to note that with ‘growth comes great responsibility’ where governments and businesses need to work together to create a secure digital environment. The idea of ‘shared responsibility’ resonated well with the audience and seems to be the path that many countries are taking to develop a safer cyber-culture.
Amit Yoran, President of RSA, came on next and shared an interesting perspective on how the Infosec industry needs to fundamentally change the way it deals with addressing security threats. His take on how cyber criminals have become ‘professional threat actors’, shed light on the fact that all cybercrime is heavily associated with monetary gain.
There were also some insightful tracks taking place today, especially the one on ‘Policy & Strategy’. Giampiero Nanni from Symantec, highlighted the need for critical information infrastructure to underpin a robust cybersecurity posture. He said that public and private partnerships are fundamental for realizing the vision of delivering smart services to businesses and citizens in the Middle East.
So as I walk around talking to delegates and attending keynotes, it’s clear that the issue of cybersecurity is a global one and a key priority for both businesses and governments. It’s great to see this underlying theme of shared responsibility and how everyone must work together to address the development of a safer cyber-culture.
There is still plenty to do and see tomorrow as well. Make sure to check out the keynotes and hear world renowned cybersecurity expert, Richard Clarke talk about his experiences and global trends, while Dr. Najwa Aaraj from Dark Matter will share her take on modern cryptography – exciting!
We also hope to see many of you at the delegate dinner this evening, where you will have a chance to unwind after what has been a really busy day, at the first edition of RSA Conference 2015 Abu Dhabi.
Recent news:
- As smart cities take shape, a key issue is security – The National
- RSA Conference: Helping security pros connect and discover – Saudi Gazette