Dubai: H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Ports and Borders Security Council, today inaugurated GISEC Global 2025, recognized as the world's third-largest cybersecurity event and the most significant in the MENA region.
According to Emirates News Agency, the event was marked by H.H. Sheikh Mansoor's visit to several of the 750 exhibiting brands, including prominent names such as the Dubai Electronic Security Centre (DESC), Huawei, and the Microsoft Hub. He was accompanied by senior officials including Helal Saeed Almarri, Director-General of the Dubai World Trade Centre Authority. The event's theme, 'Securing an AI-Powered Future,' underscores the importance of artificial intelligence in the evolving cybersecurity landscape.
The 14th edition of GISEC Global has gathered more than 750 leading cybersecurity entities, 450 global CISOs and futurists from over 160 countries, and attracted 25,000 visitors. The event reaffirms the UAE's position as a leader in cybersecurity, coinciding with projections from Markets and Markets that the global cybersecurity market will reach a value of USD 298.5 billion by 2028.
Organised by the Dubai World Trade Centre and hosted by the UAE Cybersecurity Council, GISEC Global 2025 spans three days and features a variety of panel discussions, innovation showcases, and programs that explore current trends in the cybersecurity industry. Highlights include the debut of the Dubai Cyber Challenge by DESC, where teams from 25 Dubai government entities will engage in competitions involving web security, reverse engineering, and digital forensics.
The event also introduces GISEC North Star, a start-up pitch competition in collaboration with Cyber71, aimed at connecting entrepreneurs with investors and mentors. The start-up pavilion sees its largest turnout this year with 125 businesses participating.
Addressing the importance of nurturing future talent, the new Students Hackathon - School of Cyber Defence (CTF) involves ten teams tackling real-world scenarios in network security and threat analysis. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) returns with its Global Cyber Drill, assembling over 130 national cybersecurity authorities for a mission to strengthen international cyber resilience.
The GISEC CISO Circle, a global initiative since 2021, continues to provide a platform for over 250 cybersecurity leaders to exchange insights through exclusive sessions. The conference agenda emphasizes artificial intelligence's dual role in cybersecurity, with sessions like 'Harnessing AI for Cybersecurity Resilience' and 'Hacking with AI' exploring its potential as both a tool and a threat.
With more than 350 hours of AI-focused cybersecurity content delivered by over 350 speakers, GISEC Global's conference includes high-level discussions such as the Ministerial Session led by ITU. This session addresses cybersecurity challenges in developing countries, featuring prominent government figures including Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti.
Trixie LohMirmand, EVP at the Dubai World Trade Centre, stated that GISEC Global 2025 serves as a critical platform for uniting global cybersecurity leaders, reflecting the urgency and ambition driving cybersecurity agendas worldwide. The event aims to shape a secure digital future amidst a rapidly evolving digital landscape dominated by artificial intelligence.