Dubai: H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum today inaugurated GISEC Global 2026, the largest cybersecurity event in the Middle East and North Africa, taking place at the Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai until 18 September.
According to Emirates News Agency, H.H. toured the exhibition and was briefed on the latest technologies and solutions in cybersecurity. He was joined by Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of Digital Dubai; Lieutenant General Awad Hader Al Muhairi, Vice President of the State Security Department in Dubai; His Excellency Lieutenant General Tamim Al Muhairi, Director General of the State Security Department in Dubai; and Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani, CEO of the Dubai Electronic Security Center.
The event serves as a platform for international cooperation, strategic partnerships, and cross-sector collaboration amidst geopolitical shifts, AI-enabled threats, and pressure on critical infrastructure that are influencing the global digital security landscape.
As global attention focuses on the Middle East and North Africa cybersecurity market, GISEC Global 2026 is expected to reflect significant growth. Mordor Intelligence reports the market is projected to grow by 12% annually, from US$3.67 billion in 2026 to US$6.54 billion by 2031.
The 15th edition of the event, organized by inD, features 750 exhibitors and 350 expert speakers, with attendance from thousands of cybersecurity professionals from over 180 countries. This reinforces Dubai's status as a hub for governments, cybersecurity authorities, and industry leaders to collaborate on digital resilience.
Supported by the UAE Cybersecurity Council, Dubai Electronic Security Center, Ministry of Interior, and Dubai Police, GISEC Global 2026 unites digital security authorities, specialists, executives, ethical hackers, and technology innovators. The event prioritizes trusted partnerships, sovereign digital security capabilities, and collective action across interconnected digital economies.
Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of the UAE Cybersecurity Council, emphasized cybersecurity as a strategic priority impacting economic resilience and global stability, highlighting the importance of international cooperation at GISEC Global.
Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani, CEO of the Dubai Electronic Security Center, noted the importance of building a secure digital environment as innovation accelerates, emphasizing Dubai's proactive approach to digital security.
The event also launched the inaugural Cyber First Leadership Summit under the theme 'Securing a Cyber-First New Digital Order', bringing together leaders in policy, regulation, and cybersecurity to address the changing digital security landscape.