ABU DHABI // The "dark side" of information technology will be discussed at a global security conference in the capital from tomorrow.
The second International Security National Resilience Exhibition & Conference will see delegates broach security and defence challenges faced by governments and companies, such as terrorism and the protection of nuclear facilities.
Around 45 security experts will present case studies, research papers and recommendations on how to combat evolving threats, over the three-day conference at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
The final day of the conference will be devoted exclusively to discussing the potential misuses of IT, including the use of social networks in crime.
Saif bin Ghelaita, the director of technologies and standards at the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), said a study by the authority indicated that the country's IT sector was the target of 51 major attacks in 2008 and 2009.
He said it was important to focus on information security as the majority of threats could be avoided through awareness.
"Currently, institutions and companies tend to wait until the last moments of their projects to consult information security experts," Mr bin Ghelaita said.
The conference, which will be opened by Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, will broadly focus on security challenges facing governments and the private sector, including information security, border security, counter-terrorism, road safety, environment and the protection of critical infrastructure.
Sheikh Saif said with technological advancements and increased sophistication of criminals, the world faced major challenges in improving security.
For the country to avoid penetration by new criminal trends, such as cybercrime and transnational organised crime, it required continuous co-operation and exchange of information with other countries, said Sheikh Saif.
"The Ministry of Interior is developing its manpower and providing the best and latest technology in order to address these challenges," he said.
Lt Gen Dahi Khalfan Tamim, the chief of Dubai Police, will discuss the UAE's experience in the use of feedback in the fight against crime.
New approaches in dealing with crises related to nuclear energy security will be discussed by Christian Sommade, the executive director of the French high committee for civil defence.
Other topics include influencing driver behaviour, new trends in aviation security, maritime security, vulnerable-target protection and the applications of aerospace technology for homeland security.
In line with the conference, companies from Germany, Switzerland, Taiwan, Britain and the United States will showcase the latest security products.
hhassan@thenational.ae
From Europe to the Middle East, economic success brings wealth - and lifestyle diseases
A rise in obesity figures and the need for more public spending is a familiar trend in the developing world as western lifestyles are adopted.
One in five deaths around the world is now caused by bad diet, with obesity the fastest growing global risk. A high body mass index is also the top cause of metabolic diseases relating to death and disability in Kuwait, Qatar and Oman – and second on the list in Bahrain.
In Britain, heart disease, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s remain among the leading causes of death, and people there are spending more time suffering from health problems.
The UK is expected to spend $421.4 billion on healthcare by 2040, up from $239.3 billion in 2014.
And development assistance for health is talking about the financial aid given to governments to support social, environmental development of developing countries.
Company Profile
Company name: Hoopla
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The five pillars of Islam
How to play the stock market recovery in 2021?
If you are looking to build your long-term wealth in 2021 and beyond, the stock market is still the best place to do it as equities powered on despite the pandemic.
Investing in individual stocks is not for everyone and most private investors should stick to mutual funds and ETFs, but there are some thrilling opportunities for those who understand the risks.
Peter Garnry, head of equity strategy at Saxo Bank, says the 20 best-performing US and European stocks have delivered an average return year-to-date of 148 per cent, measured in local currency terms.
Online marketplace Etsy was the best performer with a return of 330.6 per cent, followed by communications software company Sinch (315.4 per cent), online supermarket HelloFresh (232.8 per cent) and fuel cells specialist NEL (191.7 per cent).
Mr Garnry says digital companies benefited from the lockdown, while green energy firms flew as efforts to combat climate change were ramped up, helped in part by the European Union’s green deal.
Electric car company Tesla would be on the list if it had been part of the S&P 500 Index, but it only joined on December 21. “Tesla has become one of the most valuable companies in the world this year as demand for electric vehicles has grown dramatically,” Mr Garnry says.
By contrast, the 20 worst-performing European stocks fell 54 per cent on average, with European banks hit by the economic fallout from the pandemic, while cruise liners and airline stocks suffered due to travel restrictions.
As demand for energy fell, the oil and gas industry had a tough year, too.
Mr Garnry says the biggest story this year was the “absolute crunch” in so-called value stocks, companies that trade at low valuations compared to their earnings and growth potential.
He says they are “heavily tilted towards financials, miners, energy, utilities and industrials, which have all been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic”. “The last year saw these cheap stocks become cheaper and expensive stocks have become more expensive.”
This has triggered excited talk about the “great value rotation” but Mr Garnry remains sceptical. “We need to see a breakout of interest rates combined with higher inflation before we join the crowd.”
Always remember that past performance is not a guarantee of future returns. Last year’s winners often turn out to be this year’s losers, and vice-versa.
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Washmen Profile
Date Started: May 2015
Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures