PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES CRUCIAL IN FIGHT AGAINST CYBERCRIME

• World-leading cybersecurity expert Dan Lohrmann reveals key recommendations against continuously increasing threat of cyberattack at 3rd Gulf Information Security Expo and Conference
• TRA reveals it is tackling cybersecurity by addressing legislation that takes into consideration security, privacy, and the rights of individuals and companies

Mobilk - World-leading cybersecurity expert Dan Lohrmann urged that partnerships are strengthened between private organisations and law enforcement agencies in the fight against cyberthreats as well as implement a range of cybersecurity solutions that tackle different experiences of various business sectors.

 

Citing industry reports indicating that the number of incidents of cyber breaches and attacks doubled from 2013 to 2014, Lohrmann strongly recommended that any cybersecurity strategy must offer solutions that will enable companies and communities to move forward with their set goals and objectives.

 

The ex-Chief Security Officer for the State of Michigan in the U.S.A. and Chief Strategist & CSO of Security Mentor, a company that provides online, Flash-based security awareness training, made the recommendation during his keynote presentation at the conference segment of the 3rd Gulf Information Security Expo and Conference (GISEC) organised by Dubai World Trade Centre. 

 

This recommendation was supported by H.E. Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, Deputy Director General, Telecom Sector of the U.A.E.’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) as he cited the country’s aim to make full use of any and all available advancements in technology that will facilitate the further development of smart cities.

 

“The TRA is tackling the issue of cybersecurity in a strategic manner, including legislation that takes into consideration security, privacy, and the rights of individuals and companies,” Al Mesmar said. “We acknowledge that with all the technological innovation that is happening around us, security is the most important aspect.”

 

According to Lohrmann “if you try to isolate yourself and sort the issue of cybersecurity on your own, you will fail,” Lohrmann said. “Partnership, especially with government law enforcement agencies, is a huge area in the fight against cyberattacks. This is particularly important in any cyberdisruption response strategy where a coordinated response in the event of a catastrophic cyber incident involves key critical infrastructure. 

 

“At the same time, there is no one solution against cyberattacks that fits all,” he added. “A risk assessment and understanding of an organisation’s baseline must be conducted in order to find a solution that applies to specific experiences.”

 

Lohrmann also revealed four strategic response goals that should be part of a cyber disruption strategy. These include an improved situational awareness among critical infrastructure owners, creation of specific operational plans for the response to and recovery from cyber disruption events, training of key staff and exercising communication and response plans, and the conduct of thorough risk assessment to identify vulnerabilities.

 

Other speakers at GISEC include Steve Williamson, Director IT Risk Management, GlaxoSmithKline; Les Anderson, Vice President Cyber, BT; Niraj Mathur, Manager Security Practice, GBM; Manal Masoud, Principal Consultant, Paramount Computer System; Amit Bhatia, Head of Information Security Governance, Oman Insurance Company; Jonas Zelba, Senior Research Analyst ICT MENA, Frost & Sullivan; Hadi Jaafarawi, CISSP, CISA, Managing Director Middle East, Qualys, Inc,; and Nader Baghdadi, Regional Enterprise Director South Gulf & Pakistan, Fortinet; Ahmad Baig, Senior Director, Corporate Strategy, Risk & Excellence, Smartworld; and Nick Pollard, Senior Director Professional Services, EMEA & APAC, Guidance Software Inc. 

 

Key sponsors of GISEC include BT Global as the Lead Sponsor; GBM as Diamond Sponsor; Cisco and Spire Solutions as Platinum Sponsors; and Etisalat, Paladion Networks, Palo Alto Networks as Gold Sponsors; and Fortinet, Guidance Software, Paramount and Qualys as Silver Sponsors. Key exhibitors also include Airwatch, Airbus Defence & Space, Neustar, Bit 9, Cyberroam, Splunk, Lancope and Mindware.

 

Powered by GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK, the region’s leading technology event, GISEC and GEMEC are strictly trade-only events and are open to business and trade visitors from within the industry only. GISEC and GEMEC are open 10am-6pm from 26-28 April 2015 at Sheikh Rashid Hall at Dubai World Trade Centre. Visitor attendance is free of charge. For more information, please visit www.gisec.ae.