Dubai to host the region's first Cybertech Global event

The largest security networking event to be held outside the US will take place in-person from April 5-7 in the emirate

A group of subcommittees containing government, semi-government, private and not-for-profit sectors will report to the taskforce responsible for developing Dubai's Strategic Plan 2030. Photo: Getty ImagesShow less

Dubai is set to host the region’s first Cybertech Global event, an international exhibition and conference for the cyber security industry, as the emirate continues to safely re-open for large-scale global events.

The in-person event will be held from April 5-7 by the Dubai Electronic Security Centre (DESC). It will be the eighth edition of the largest security networking event for the cyber industry to be held outside the US, the Government of Dubai Media Office said on Saturday.

"This event comes as the world recovers from a global pandemic and begins to address its repercussions at various levels," Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani, director general of the DESC, said. "This challenging period has highlighted the role that digital technologies serve in our lives, and the tangible impact they can have."

Dubai, the region's finance, trade and tourism hub, is a global centre for hosting meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions. The events industry globally has suffered due to travel restrictions, however, the emirate is safely reopening to host major international events. The UAE has also responded strongly to the pandemic, having distributed enough shots to vaccinate 39.5 per cent of the population, according to Bloomberg's Vaccine Tracker.

Organised by Cybertech, the event will draw high-level stakeholders, start-ups, government entities and organisations from across the world, to discuss business opportunities and the evolving challenges in cyberspace.

A total of 50 delegations and 52 companies will be attending the event.

“The Centre is keen to support and coordinate with regional and international bodies to exchange ideas in the field of cyber security. This allows us to achieve our vision, which aims to enhance Dubai's status as a leading city for innovation, safety and security globally,” Mr Al Shaibani said.

This will be the first time the Cybertech Global event will be held in the Gulf.

"We strongly believe that Dubai is an ideal hub for hosting an international event of this kind that addresses the new threats and opportunities that come with the evolution of the cyber domain," Amir Rapaport, founder of Cybertech Global, said.

The conference will bring together experts from various countries including Yigal Unna, director general of Israel's National Cyber Directorate; General Wesley Clark, the former Supreme Commander of Nato forces in Europe; and General David Petraeus, the former director of the CIA, among others.

The conference will offer sessions on Artificial Intelligence, advanced IoT, big data, cloud and blockchain.

The event will also feature a Start-up Pavilion for young and innovative cyber security start-ups.

A large part of Cybertech Global Dubai will be dedicated to cyber security challenges, strategies and repercussions in a range of sectors and disciplines such as FinTech, retail, insurance, aviation, economics and politics.