As artificial intelligence, geopolitical tensions, and advancements in quantum computing reshape the cyber threat landscape, organisations are reassessing their strategies to protect critical infrastructure and digital assets.
GISEC Global 2026, a major cybersecurity event in the MENA region, hosted by inD, is set to convene key stakeholders, including governments and cybersecurity leaders, at the Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai, from 16–18 September 2026. The event aims to enhance readiness for emerging cyber risks.
Long-term security strategies
Geopolitical instability and quantum computing advancements are prompting organisations to revamp their cybersecurity approaches. The World Economic Forum's Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026 indicates that 91% of major organisations have modified their strategies due to geopolitical uncertainties.
Concurrently, there is an increased investment in quantum-ready security as enterprises and governments prepare for future threats. Responding to these challenges, GISEC Global will showcase an expanded programme, featuring the Quantum Security Summit and the Global Quantum Drill, transforming the former Global Cyber Drill into one of the largest quantum readiness exercises globally.
Securing digital communications
Discussions will also focus on cryptographic discovery, sovereignty considerations
Sessions at the conference will cover topics such as post-quantum cryptography, quantum-safe migration strategies, and hardware-based security. Discussions will also focus on cryptographic discovery, sovereignty considerations, and the emerging certification landscape that is crucial for securing digital communications.
Ibrahim Sukari, Founder of Attack Insights, Australia, remarked, "GISEC is where the region's security leaders come to separate what works from what is marketed, and that is exactly where Attack Insights belongs. We are an Australian company built on one idea: don't tell an organisation what might be a risk, prove what an attacker can actually reach."
Protecting critical infrastructure
While focusing on quantum readiness, organisations need to enhance the resilience of current operational environments. GISEC Global 2026 will display sophisticated cyber defence solutions across various sectors, including energy, utilities, transport, manufacturing, and finance. The event will feature live demonstrations, threat simulations, and sessions focused on operational technology to help operators strengthen resilience.
Building cyber resilience through collaboration
With cyber threats growing more sophisticated, recovery has become as crucial as prevention
With cyber threats growing more sophisticated, recovery has become as crucial as prevention. Ayman Hammoudeh, Senior Director of Sales Engineering at Cohesity, highlighted, "Only 2% of organisations worldwide can recover from a cyberattack within 24 hours, revealing the need for true resilience. The question is no longer if an attack will occur, but how prepared your organisation is to respond and recover."
As cyber resilience strategies evolve, the focus is shifting from simple recovery to trust validation. Strong partnerships between industries and governments, coupled with intelligence sharing, are critical for minimising disruption.
GISEC Global offers a platform where governments, industries, and academic institutions can exchange knowledge and forge partnerships. This collaboration is essential for protecting critical infrastructure, advancing digital transformation, and building resilient economies. The event also aligns with strategic initiatives such as the Dubai Cyber Security Strategy and the Digital Economy Strategy.
As artificial intelligence, geopolitical tensions and emerging quantum computing capabilities reshape the global cyber threat landscape, organisations are rethinking how they protect critical infrastructure, safeguard digital assets and prepare for the emerging cyber risks.
GISEC Global 2026, the biggest and most influential cybersecurity event in the MENA, organised by inD, will bring together governments, critical infrastructure operators, technology innovators and cybersecurity leaders at Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai, from 16–18 September 2026 to accelerate readiness for the evolving threat landscape.
Long-term security strategies
According to the World Economic Forum's Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026, 91% of the world's largest organisations have adapted their cybersecurity strategies in response to geopolitical volatility, while governments and enterprises are accelerating investment in quantum-ready security as they prepare for future cyber threats. At the same time, geopolitical fragmentation and advances in quantum computing are driving governments and enterprises to strengthen cyber resilience and rethink long-term security strategies.
Reflecting these challenges, GISEC Global's expanded conference programme introduces the Quantum Security Summit, hosted by the UAE Cyber Security Council and Technology Innovation Institute, alongside the Global Quantum Drill, which evolves the former Global Cyber Drill into what is planned to be the world's largest quantum readiness exercise.
Secure digital communications
Sessions will explore post-quantum cryptography, quantum-safe migration strategies, hardware-based security, cryptographic discovery, sovereignty considerations, enterprise migration governance and the emerging certification landscape shaping secure digital communications.
Ibrahim Sukari, Founder, Attack Insights, Australia, said: "GISEC is where the region's security leaders come to separate what works from what is marketed, and that is exactly where Attack Insights belongs. We are an Australian company built on one idea: don't tell an organisation what might be a risk, prove what an attacker can actually reach. Bringing that attacker's view to the UAE and the wider region, and working alongside the teams defending critical infrastructure here, is a real privilege."
Protecting critical infrastructure
While quantum readiness is becoming a strategic priority, organisations must also strengthen the resilience of today's operational environments. GISEC Global 2026 will showcase advanced cyber defence solutions for sectors including energy, utilities, transport, manufacturing and finance, alongside live demonstrations, threat simulations and OT-focused sessions designed to help operators strengthen resilience across complex environments.
The exhibition will feature global technology companies and cybersecurity innovators showcasing the latest advances in AI-enabled defence, secure digital transformation, sovereign cloud security, autonomous security operations and national-scale threat intelligence.
Building cyber resilience through collaboration
As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, recovery has become just as important as prevention.
Ayman Hammoudeh, Senior Director, Sales Engineering, Cohesity, said: "Only 2% of organisations worldwide can recover from a cyberattack within 24 hours, highlighting how few businesses and governments are truly resilient when disruption strikes. The question is no longer if an attack will occur, but how prepared your organisation is to respond and recover.”
“As cyber resilience strategies mature, recovery prioritisation is evolving into trust validation, with organisations increasingly focusing on what services can be trusted, rather than simply what can be restored first. Strong partnerships between industry and government, combined with proactive intelligence sharing, wisdom and preparedness, are essential to minimising disruption and accelerating resilience when attacks occur. In an increasingly connected world, cyber resilience is a shared responsibility."
GISEC Global provides an international platform where governments, industry and academia exchange knowledge, strengthen partnerships and develop practical solutions to protect critical infrastructure, accelerate secure digital transformation and build more resilient economies. The event also supports the ambitions of the Dubai Cyber Security Strategy, the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, the Digital Economy Strategy and We the UAE 2031.
