Event Details

The United Arab Emirates and its Gulf neighbours are targets for cyber-attacks by threat actors with financial and political motivations.


So join us for the EICN's latest event: Cybersecurity - keeping your guard up, to learn how to safeguard corporate, public and private data, and to increase your awareness of emerging cyber threats.


Although the UAE was recently ranked in the top category (Pioneering Model) of the International Telecommunication Union's 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index, indicating the highest level of commitment to cybersecurity, complacency around digital security would be negligent in the extreme.


Cyber-criminals have in their sights large corporates and government entities - organisations with deep pockets and / or valuable data - as well as educational institutions. SMEs are also vulnerable, due to the perception that they are likely to have fewer resources and less robust technical infrastructure in place to protect themselves from malicious threats.


Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) are at the forefront of organisations' attempts to adapt to new cybersecurity changes forced upon them by a "new normal" characterised by remote working and increased automation. Businesses are embracing enhanced digital solutions and training regimes to adapt and secure their IT environments.


We are particularly honoured to be joined by a panel of regional cybersecurity experts and knowledgeable senior business leaders to discuss this high-priority topic and its implications.


Agenda


12:00โ€“12:30 | Arrival, Networking and Buffet Lunch

12:30โ€“12:35 | Welcome & Opening Remarks

12.35โ€“13:10 | Panel Discussion: The Evolving Threat Landscape

13:10โ€“13:55 | Interactive Workshop | "What Would You Do?" Tabletop Scenario

13.55โ€“14:15 | Report Back & Expert Commentary

14:15 | Close and Networking

Please note that this event is limited to senior-level executives and per invitation only. If you are not an existing member of The Economist Intelligence Corporate Network, but would like to learn how you can attend our events, please contact us.

Speakers

  • Isabelle Meyer (Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Zendata Security)

    Isabelle Meyer

    Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Zendata Security

    Isabelle has been a corporate lawyer since the age of 22, specializing for decades in the oil & gas industry before co-founding ZENDATA, where she serves as Co-CEO. She pursued her studies at the University of Toronto, the University of Sherbrooke, and Cambridge University. Married with three daughters, she currently resides in Abu Dhabi.



    Her primary focus lies in threat intelligence. Isabelle pioneered the first public-private partnership with law enforcement in Switzerland, establishing the country's sole 24/7 incident response hotline and crafting the incident framework for the police. With a track record of responding to major incidents, her paramount concern has been the swift dissemination of threat intelligence across the country upon reaching TLP standards. She developed a platform providing actionable threat intelligence for law enforcement, which has been instrumental in assigning DEF CON levels for critical infrastructures in Switzerland for years. She opened multiple offices across the Middle East, Isabelle now collaborates with various agencies such as the NCA, NCSC and CSC. She also is concentrating on OT/IoT/IOmT environments for critical infrastructures, while also advising Fortune 500 companies.



    Among her notable achievements, Isabelle spearheaded innovative projects like the establishment of the first cybersecurity museum in Abu Dhabi, slated to open in 2024. Additionally, she is a globally recognized cybersecurity speaker, frequently appearing at international conferences. Isabelle is a mother of three daughters and part of Women in Cyber Security Middle East.



    In addition to its core services, ZENDATA brings a unique civic-focused dimension to its cybersecurity mission: our 24/7 cyber hotline for citizens. This initiative, which has proven successful in Switzerland, provides immediate support for individuals facing cyber incidents, from identity theft to online scams, bridging the gap between technical expertise and public accessibility. Moreover, ZENDATA developed a national DEFCON-style threat level framework for critical infrastructure, allowing real-time adjustment of security postures based on evolving threats. Our ambition is to replicate and localize this model in Singapore, working closely with the government and public agencies to deliver both proactive threat monitoring and a tangible layer of protection for critical national assets.

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  • Steven Meyer (Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Zendata Cyber Security)

    Steven Meyer

    Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Zendata Cyber Security

    Steven, a certified expert in cybersecurity and cryptography (CISSP, CPA) with over 15 years of experience, co-founded ZENDATA to meet the rising demand for cyber-protection services. As the leader of the cyber-protection section at Bilan Magazine, he's a driving force in raising awareness and shaping behaviors around cybersecurity in Switzerland. Steven regularly engages with the media to highlight cyber risks and has spearheaded numerous initiatives to promote cybersecurity across the country. In 2023 and 2024, his entrepreneurial achievements earned him a spot in the prestigious 40 under 40.

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  • Filip Rideau (Country Manager at Manpower Middle East FZ-LLC)

    Filip Rideau

    Country Manager at Manpower Middle East FZ-LLC

    Filip is a strategic Director with a vast experience of creating and nurturing strong business partnerships with top tier global companies covering worldwide markets.

    A polished bilingual (French & English) communicator, he can easily cultivate consensus and influence with professionals of all levels and backgrounds, across developed and developing nations.

    Filip has a demonstrated track record in catapulting businesses to sustainable growth
    while leveraging expertise to capture opportunities and drive competitive advantages.
    A collaborative leader with a highly developed understanding of strategic vertical alignment and horizontal integration, his key strength areas are strategic market planning & execution, project management & development, budgeting and forecasting, as well as new business development through his GCC network of industry leaders.

    Filip is leading the Middle East operations of ManpowerGroup and is focused on growing our strategic partnerships in the region, as well as expanding our solutions portfolio, to continue supporting our clients with value added workforce solutions.

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  • Hadi Anwar (Chief Executive Officer at CPX)

    Hadi Anwar

    Chief Executive Officer at CPX

    At the helm of the organization, Hadi Anwar shapes the organization’s strategic direction and leads a team of talented cyber experts to empower clients with dynamic, cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions.

    Driven by a vision to solve the issues that keep business leaders and governments up at night, Hadi leads strategic projects in collaboration with CPX cybersecurity consultants and experts
    to deliver solutions and services to limit clients’ exposure to cyberthreats.

    In his 25-year career, Hadi has amassed a wealth of experience in IT and cybersecurity services across a wide spectrum of industries.

    Prior to joining CPX, he was the Group Chief Information Officer (Group CIO) at G42, responsible for setting up the IT, Cybersecurity, Data Privacy and Business Continuity functions. In addition to providing leadership for the continued development of an innovative and robust IT environment, he provided services related to information security, data privacy, and business continuity across the Group.

    Hadi has also served as Head of Information Security, Data Privacy, and Business Continuity/Resilience at NEOM, a US$500 billion mega city project in Saudi Arabia. In this role, he was responsible for the deployment and implementation of critical smart city-related technology, including cybersecurity, data privacy and business continuity controls.

    He also played an instrumental role in setting up technology and cybersecurity functions at Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC).

    Hadi holds a master’s degree in Analysis, Design, and Management of Information Systems from the London School of Economics & Political Science and a Global Executive MBA and INSEAD

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  • Hussain Al Khalsan (Chief Information Security Officer at Zand)

    Hussain Al Khalsan

    Chief Information Security Officer at Zand

    Hussain Al Khalsan joined Zand as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) in June 2019. In his role, he oversees and manages the Cyber Security Programme of Zand. He is a seasoned professional with 18 years of experience in IT Security, Information Security and Cyber Security purely in the banking and financial services industry.

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  • Hadi Jaafarawi (Regional Vice President, Middle East & Africa at Qualys Middle East)

    Hadi Jaafarawi

    Regional Vice President, Middle East & Africa at Qualys Middle East

    Hadi Jaafarawi is a seasoned information security professional with over 25 years of experience spanning IT, security, law, and business development in the Middle East, Gulf & Africa region. He currently serves as the Regional Vice President for the Middle East & Africa at Qualys, where he leads field operations to drive customer growth through a strategic blend of direct and channel sales, as well as dynamic marketing initiatives.

    Jaafarawi’s primary focus is on ensuring customer success by deeply understanding client requirements and helping organizations achieve their business objectives and IT security goals. Under his leadership, Qualys has strengthened its presence in the region, delivering innovative cybersecurity solutions tailored to the evolving risk landscape.

    Before joining Qualys, Hadi held various leadership roles at I(TS)² and was a certified trainer for respected organizations such as (ISC)², EC-Council, and ArcSight, delivering security courses across the Middle East. His extensive expertise and commitment to cybersecurity have made him a recognized thought leader, regularly contributing insights on industry trends and security best practices.

    With a proven track record in both technical and business domains, Hadi Jaafarawi continues to play a pivotal role in advancing cybersecurity maturity for organizations throughout the Gulf and broader Middle East region

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  • Olivier Busolini (Executive Vice President, Head of Information Security at Mashreq Bank)

    Olivier Busolini

    Executive Vice President, Head of Information Security at Mashreq Bank

    Olivier Busolini is a cybersecurity leader with over 30 years of professional experience, including 25 years in information security management. He specializes in driving IT and security risk strategies that align with organizational objectives, enabling innovation and transformation while maintaining a well-defined risk appetite. Olivier integrates cybersecurity into the broader enterprise risk management framework, empowering senior leadership to pursue business and IT innovation with confidence, ensuring that risks are managed with precision and resilience is continually reinforced.

    In his role, Olivier leads cybersecurity crisis management, acting as a critical bridge between technical teams and senior leadership, including Board members and executive committees. He delivers clear, strategic updates that enable informed decision-making during high-pressure situations, guiding organizations through crisis containment, recovery, and long-term resilience-building. His approach positions cybersecurity as a core component of business continuity and growth strategies.

    Olivier has successfully led high-performing teams across multicultural, multinational, and multi-domain environments. His international experience allows him to navigate complex regulatory landscapes, aligning global security practices with local business needs while driving operational excellence and continuous improvement.

    As a mentor and coach, Olivier is committed to developing future leaders. He guides individuals to optimize their performance and steer their career growth, fostering sustainable success in dynamic environments.

    With a growing focus on non-executive director roles, Olivier brings a blend of strategic insight, Board-level engagement, and operational leadership in cybersecurity. He is well-positioned to contribute to governance and oversight functions, ensuring that cybersecurity and risk management are deeply embedded in organizational decision-making at the highest levels.

    Olivier is married and the father two sons. He has been practicing martial arts and combat systems for 25 years, as well as yoga and meditation. He loves kitesurfing and snowboarding, and is passionate about electronic music.

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