Technology & IT | Thursday 29 November, 2018 3:39 pm |

Over 1,200 IT professionals and enthusiasts converge on Dubai as Hack In The Box (HITB)

Security Conference opens

Dubai is determined to turn the challenges into opportunities
as it tackles global cyber security threats on its path to continued growth, the emirate’s IT
security chief pledged today. Speaking as he opened the two-day Hack In The Box (HITB)
Security Conference, Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC) Director General, His
Excellency, Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani explained that the Dubai Cyber Security Strategy
launched by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime
Minister and Rule of Dubai, aims to strengthen Dubai's position as a world leader in
innovation, safety and security in collaboration with the relevant partners.
“The bigger the challenges, the more determined we are to ensure that Dubai is the safest
city in the digital world,” said Mr. Al Shaibani. “Promoting cyber security research and
innovation is a pillar of the Dubai Cyber Security Strategy which will create new jobs and
investment opportunities. Rather than viewing it as a challenge, we see it as an opportunity
to call for greater collaboration with the private sector to ensure that Dubai remains a global
center of excellence – a cyber smart society with a free, fair and secure cyber space that is
able to manage the risks it faces while maintaining flexibility and growth.”
The conference is organised by Hack In The Box in association with DESC and local partner
DarkMatter Group - the region’s first and only fully-integrated digital transformation, defense
and cyber security consultancy and implementation firm. Several prominent figures in the
global cyber security industry also spoke at the opening, including Luta Security Founder
and CEO Katie Moussouris, an information security veteran who has been a consultant to
both the US Government and European Parliament. F-Secure Chief Research Officer Mikko
Hypponen, a worldwide authority on computer security, who is listed among Foreign Policy
Magazine’s Top 100 Global Thinkers, will be presenting a keynote speech tomorrow.
DarkMatter Group Senior Vice President Sales, Business Development and Marketing,
Rabih Dabboussi said: “This is a timely return to the Middle East for the HITB conference, as
the region continues its rapid adoption of digital infrastructure and solutions. The rise of
smart cities, and the adoption of IOT and AI within many government entities and enterprises
raises the demand for cyber security awareness and capabilities. DarkMatter partnered with
HITB in the quest to empower the local professional community and pursue the common
goal of creating cyber resilience for the entire region. To combat cybercrime, it is essential
that we prepare the next generation of digital talent and equip them with the right technical

training and skills. Hosting conferences such as this will make the UAE a focal point in the
region for cyber experts, helping us attract the most skilled and ambitious in the field.”
Among the various event highlights are a range of live hacking demonstrations, including a
car hacking area in which experts will show participants how they are able to take control of
modern vehicles remotely. Alongside this, HITB’s popular Capture The Flag (CTF)
competition, sees several international teams competing in the kick off leg of the 2019 HITB
CTF series. In addition to the professional-level competition, HITB is also hosting an edu-
level Capture the Flag for undergraduate and high school students aimed at motivating
UAE’s younger talent. In parallel with HITB, DarkMatter Group is organising a business track
called ‘Beyond Cyber’ where senior IT and C-level executives are learning about Threat
Intelligence, Digital Transformation and Cyber Transformation.
To find out more, visit the event website at https://conference.hitb.org/hitbsecconf2018dxb/
or follow @HITBSecConf on Twitter for the latest event updates or search for the
#HITB2018DXB hashtag.