Experts Map Future of Cybersecurity

The Arab International Cybersecurity Conference and Exhibition turned its spotlight on the theme “Cyber Threat Intelligence Without Borders”, drawing cybersecurity leaders and policymakers from across the region and beyond to discuss how nations can build resilience in an increasingly fragmented digital world.

The panel featured a compelling lineup of global experts including Dr. Haji Amirudin Abdul Wahab, CEO of CyberSecurity Malaysia; William Theyer, Head of Cyber (Gulf), UK; Col. Dr. Engr. Ibrahim Hamid Al-Mayahi, Director of the Digital Security Directorate in the UAE and Head of the Arab Experts Team under the Arab Interior Council; Atul Kumar, Director of the Data Security Council of India; and Balaji Venkateshwar, Global Head of Cyber Defense at Paramount.

Dr. Amirudin emphasized the critical role of governance and policy frameworks in safeguarding national interests, calling for “national cybersecurity centers to act as the perfect orchestrators between the public and private sectors.”

From a UK perspective, William Theyer highlighted the country’s collaboration with NATO and the central role played by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). “The key is in alignment,” he said. “When threat intelligence and response mechanisms are fragmented, our collective resilience suffers. We must unify regional and global strategies.”

Representing the Arab region, Col. Dr. Engr. Al-Mayahi discussed the UAE’s leadership in digital security and its efforts to foster cooperation among Arab states. “Cybersecurity must not be viewed in isolation,” he stated. “Our challenge lies in harmonizing legislation, building shared platforms, and developing trust between nations.”

Atul Kumar from India’s Data Security Council shared insights on the rapidly evolving digital landscape. “The architecture of real-time security management changes every day,” he said. “Our response must be as agile as the threats themselves.”

Adding to the dialogue, Balaji Venkateshwar stressed the growing importance of regulation in the age of artificial intelligence. “AI is both a tool and a target,” he warned. “Strong regulations are not optional; they're essential for stability and accountability.”

The discussion underscored that while technology evolves at breakneck speed, the true test for governments and institutions lies in collaboration. As one panelist noted, “Cyber resilience is no longer a national agenda—it’s a shared global responsibility.”