Inaugural Global CyberDrill hosted by GISEC Global 2024 To Improve Cyber Capabilities

GISEC Global, the premier cybersecurity event in the Middle East and Africa, is celebrating its 13th edition by pioneering the inaugural Global CyberDrill, presented by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and hosted by the United Arab Emirates Cyber Security Council. This groundbreaking event will unite CERTs, CIRTs, and CSIRTs from over 100 nations, fostering collaborative efforts to fortify global cybersecurity defences.

Scheduled from April 23rd to 25th at the Dubai World Trade Centre, GISEC Global anticipates the participation of over 750 leading cybersecurity firms, along with 350 esteemed speakers and 1,000 cybersecurity experts from diverse corners of the globe. The Global CyberDrill, integrated seamlessly within the exhibition, stands as a vital platform for fostering international cooperation in combating the escalating cyber threats. Over three days, this drill will underscore the pivotal role played by national cybersecurity centres and computer emergency response teams/incident response teams worldwide in protecting critical information infrastructure.

UAE Cyber Security Council and ITU with great expectations

Through simulated cyber scenarios and real-time collaboration, the Global CyberDrill aims to evaluate the readiness of participating teams against potential cyberattacks, offering actionable insights to enhance capabilities, streamline response mechanisms, and refine organizational strategies. This interactive exercise is poised to empower nations to adopt a proactive stance in navigating the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape.

“The Global CyberDrill in Dubai demonstrates ITU's commitment to strengthening cybersecurity, through global efforts,  solid partnerships and real life learning as it provides hands-on exercises that simulate real-world cyber threats, enabling participants to learn and strengthen their effective responses to cyber incidents.” said Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director, Telecommunication Development Bureau, ITU.

He added: “The Global CyberDrills serve as a significant platform for Member States and international organizations to convene and drive forward discussions on important cybersecurity topics, including cyber resilience, cyber diplomacy and artificial intelligence. By promoting collaboration and dialogue, Global CyberDrills stand as a cornerstone in fostering trust and confidence-building measures, enhancing cyber resilience worldwide. I profoundly thank the Government of the United Arab Emirates for graciously hosting and generously sponsoring countries to participate in this and similar events.”

Commenting on the launch of the initiative, H.E. Dr. Mohamed Hamad Al-Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government, said: “We at the UAE Cyber Security Council are honoured to partner with ITU, the UN-specialised agency for ICTs, to launch the first in-person Global CyberDrill at GISEC Global 2024 – the region’s most influential industry show. This ground-breaking initiative convenes over 100 national cybersecurity authorities and specialists hailing from international security centres and response teams, including CSIRT, CERT, and CIRTs, for an immersive exercise aimed at fortifying their preparedness against sophisticated and complex cyber threats.”

He added: “In the face of escalating cyberattacks, the exercise presents an unparalleled opportunity to showcase new approaches, methodologies, and technologies to safeguard critical infrastructure. The linchpin to a secure and trustworthy digital environment in which companies, organisations, and individuals may thrive lies in cross-regional cooperation, uniting both private and public sectors to collectively improve defences and cultivate a bold cybersecurity culture.”

On supporting the initiative, Jasim Al Awadi, Chief ICT Officer at du said: “In our commitment towards creating a safe and secure future in the digital realm, we at du, take great pride in joining the Global CyberDrill challenge as a founding partner. This unique, hands-on approach to cybersecurity, coordinated by GISEC Global, ITU, and the UAE Cyber Security Council promises to be a game-changing initiative in the face of escalating cyber threats. By mimicking real cyberattacks, the initiative provides a space for global teams to improve their response times, refine their strategies, and ultimately strengthen the world's resilience to digital threats. We anticipate the immersive experience shifting the overall understanding of managing cybersecurity in an ever-evolving digital landscape.”