TRA Participates in Cyber Defense Live 2019 (FireEye)

Mobilk - The United Arab Emirates (UAE), represented by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), participated in Cyber Defense Live 2019 (FireEye) in Dubai, which discussed the key practices to detect and respond to cyber-attacks.  The conference aimed to inform the participants of the latest cyber threats and ways to safeguard the institutions from potential cyber breaches. It also constituted a networking opportunity for specialists and leaders in the cybersecurity sector, as well as cooperation opportunity for organizations and institutions on cybersecurity.

As a supporter to the conference, TRAs Internet Advancement Senior Manager, Eng. Abdulrahman Al Marzouqi gave the opening speech, welcoming the participants and appreciating the collaborated efforts to address the cybersecurity challenges. He said: "In the UAE, we have developed a national strategy for cybersecurity, to be a key element in risk prevention and preparedness for cybersecurity challenge, accelerate the process of digital transformation and smart city, where millions of devices and platforms communicate automatically, producing vast and unprecedented amounts of data, in a safe and secure manner."

Eng. Al Marzouqi assured the UAEs keenness to encourage investment in the cybersecurity sector by creating an investment environment that facilitates establishing companies in this field and encourages competitiveness that leads to the development of the countrys capabilities in this sector, and develops innovative solutions that protect individuals and institutions against piracy risks. He added: "In the UAE, we believe in the importance of partnership between government and private sectors, as this partnership is essential for the achievement of our countrys goals of future aspirations. The government develops legislation and regulations to protect users and preserve their privacy, while companies provide tools to protect users, such as binary verification (two-factor authentication) and other means."

The conference hosted a panel discussion on trending modern cyberattacks, with the participation of TRA, Dubai Cyber Security Center, Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC), and American University of Sharjah. During the session, Eng. Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi, Manager of Information Security at TRA, reviewed social engineering attacks spread on WhatsApp and social media, which seeks to deceive people into revealing their private data, as well as impersonation attacks. Eng. Al Nuaimi highlighted the importance of transforming future challenges into opportunities and achievements that serve communities, making the UAE the first open global laboratory to test and apply the technology of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The conference included a live cyber attacks simulation with specialists who presented a 360-degree view of cyber breaches, during which participants learned best practices to prepare for a potential cyber attack.

The conference also discussed the evolution of the digital age, the cyber risks associated with it, and ways of protection. The conference reviewed the effects of cyber attacks, their overall impact on companies, and best practices that institutions, companies and individuals should follow to overcome the risks of penetration.

Additionally, the conference focused on the importance of protecting vital infrastructure, encouraging the establishment of cyber security startups, and contributing to the development of strategies and capacity building. TRA is keen to participate in conferences related to cybersecurity, as part of its leading role in regulating cybersecurity in the country, and its keenness to cooperate with the private sector in supporting initiatives that develop capacity and enhance expertise in this area.