Integrating AI to enhance secure and resilient infrastructures while redefining the future of the cybersecurity industry were among the pivotal topics discussed at GISEC Global 2025, currently taking place in Dubai.
Held under the theme of ‘Securing an AI-Powered Future,’ this annual event has attracted over 750 of the world’s leading cybersecurity companies, 450 global Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), futurists, and 25,000 visitors from more than 160 countries, according to a statement.
With the global cybersecurity market projected to be worth $298.5 billion by 2028, according to Markets and Markets, the opening day of the 14th edition featured numerous panel discussions, workshops, and roundtables focusing on the transformative power of AI and its impact on the cybersecurity landscape.
Addressing growing cyber threats
H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al-Kuwaiti, head of the UAE Cybersecurity Council, delivered an impactful speech underscoring the importance of harnessing AI, navigating geopolitical tensions, and securing the digital future.
He revealed a concerning statistic: the UAE is experiencing more than 200,000 daily cyberattacks, with government entities being the primary targets. Robust measures are being implemented, he stated, and with the emergence of the fifth industrial revolution, cybersecurity must adapt to counter the threats posed by AI tools. He emphasized the need for urgent review in areas such as human-data interfaces, autonomous systems, AI governance, and digital ethics.
He said: “Cybersecurity has become an integral part of everything that we do, and the UAE is already moving towards becoming an AI-nation in cybersecurity. There are so many great pillars as part of our UAE National Cybersecurity Strategy that focus on governance, innovation, defence and protection – all of which remain vital [for the future].”
AI’s dual-edged nature
Eugene Kaspersky, cybersecurity expert and CEO of Kaspersky, was among the speakers who took the stage. He described AI as a tool that benefits both cybercriminals and businesses, stressing the need for organizations to implement greater efforts to create a secure AI-driven future.
He stated: “We are living in a world where it’s very much AI vs AI – defence against attack.”
“With that said, the world is interconnected through digitalisation and is part of every aspect of our everyday lives. Using AI will only take that to the next level and will make things faster and better.
“However, unfortunately, we are facing issues with cybercrime, and that can stop us from using AI globally, but the good news is that cybersecurity companies are investing and working on immunity that will make future systems impeccable and secure, which can help us take the next stage.”
Dubai’s commitment to digital protection
Attendees also gained valuable insights into Dubai’s ongoing commitment to digital protection at a time when it is accelerating its efforts to become a ‘smart’ city.
During his presentation, Faisal Abdulaziz, director of the Cybersecurity Threat Center at Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC), highlighted the organization’s work in embedding cybersecurity into every layer of Dubai’s digital transformation, safeguarding the city’s smart services, critical infrastructure, and digital economy—with a strong focus on talent development.
Read more: UAE cybersecurity council launches country’s first-ever excellence awards
Emphasizing importance of secure infrastructure
Another prominent speaker, Aarti Borkar, CVP of Security, Customer Success, and Incident Response at Microsoft, revealed that 80 percent of leaders cited leakage of sensitive data as their primary concern, while 88 percent of organizations are worried about indirect prompt injection attacks. She emphasized the critical need for secure and resilient infrastructure.
“Success in AI is defined by your practical techniques and security must come above all else,” she said.
“[When it comes to building safe systems], you must plan the final stage as a perfect solution that you can use and then create milestones on how you get there. Then work on the thing that will hurt the most first, and then gradually the next element. Every day, you have to move towards the next step of being safe and staying compliant, so we can use AI safely and efficiently.”
Leading industry players unite at GISEC Global 2025
The event has brought together some of the foremost players in the industry, including Huawei, AWS, Microsoft, Google Cloud Security, CISCO, Deloitte, Kaspersky, Check Point, Cloudflare, and Honeywell, along with innovative cybersecurity companies such as Spire Solutions, CPX, CyberKnight, LinkShadow, OPSWAT, Qualys, CrowdStrike, and StrikeReady.
GISEC Global 2025, hosted by the UAE Cyber Security Council and supported by DESC, the UAE Ministry of Interior, and Dubai Police, will continue until May 8 with more engaging panel discussions and thought-provoking debates addressing pressing issues related to AI, from weaponized large language models (LLMs) to next-generation AI-powered defenses.
