At Gitex the “Cyber Risk Mitigation & Collaboration Panel” highlighted that to effectively tackle today’s cyber threats, businesses must adopt a company-wide approach, integrating cybersecurity into every layer of their operations
cybersecurity leaders
At Gitex Global 2024, a panel of top cybersecurity leaders delivered a clear message: cybersecurity is no longer just the responsibility of the cybersecurity team or the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). It is now a critical issue that demands the attention of board members and every department within an organization. The “Cyber Risk Mitigation & Collaboration Panel” highlighted the urgent need for businesses to adopt a company-wide approach to cybersecurity, integrating protection measures into every layer of their operations.
The panelists identified three high-risk functions that organizations in the Middle East must prioritize—credential management, vendor management, and patch management. These areas, often neglected or poorly managed, can expose businesses to serious vulnerabilities. Credential management, in particular, has emerged as a growing concern in today’s digital landscape, where weak authentication practices remain widespread. Ensuring strong credentials, enforcing multi-factor authentication (MFA), and regularly reviewing access privileges were emphasized as critical steps in securing sensitive data and systems.
Vendor management also presents significant risks, as companies increasingly rely on third-party providers for essential services. The panel stressed the importance of developing rigorous vendor risk management processes, where security and compliance must be key components of any partnership. By failing to scrutinize vendor practices, organizations can inadvertently inherit risks from external sources, making it crucial to monitor and assess third-party vendors thoroughly.
Patch management was another focus, with panellists highlighting the danger of leaving software and systems unpatched. Delayed patching can expose organizations to vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can easily exploit. Automating patch management and conducting regular updates are essential to maintaining robust defenses in a fast-evolving threat landscape.
One of the key takeaways from the session was the need for collaboration, not just within organizations but also across industries. Cybersecurity can no longer be siloed within the IT department—it requires the combined efforts of IT, legal, compliance, and leadership teams. According to the panellists, fostering collaboration with external stakeholders, including regulators, industry peers, and vendors, is equally important to building security strategies capable of adapting to emerging risks. As Christian Reilly, Field CTO at Citrix, remarked, “Collaboration is essential for survival in today’s cyber landscape.”
Anas Mosa, Director of Information Technology at PIF Projects, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility across the entire organization. “Cybersecurity must be at the core of every organization. It’s not just our responsibility or the team’s responsibility—it’s a collective effort. We need to ensure open communication and alignment across departments to protect our organization,” Mosa said. He further noted that building a culture of cybersecurity is a key performance indicator (KPI) for leadership teams, reinforcing the idea that securing the organization is a cultural challenge as much as a technical one.
As the Middle East undergoes rapid digital transformation, businesses in the region face increasingly complex cybersecurity challenges. To address these, organizations must take a comprehensive, collaborative approach. Cybersecurity is no longer just the domain of IT—it must be embedded throughout the organization, with every employee understanding their role in safeguarding the company’s digital assets.
While managing traditional risks like credential, vendor, and patch management is critical, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) introduces new complexities for CISOs. AI offers significant opportunities for increased operational efficiency, but it also expands the attack surface, making it a double-edged sword. CISOs must now navigate the risks associated with AI algorithms, which can be manipulated by cybercriminals to launch more sophisticated attacks. Ensuring the integrity and security of the data powering these AI systems is paramount to minimizing potential threats.
“We are living in the hype of AI,” said Christian Reilly, field CTO EMEA at Cloudflare “In sectors like manufacturing, we’ve seen automation drive efficiency, but as AI becomes more widespread, organizations will become smarter—and, inevitably, more vulnerable.” The challenge for CISOs is not only managing the benefits of AI but also ensuring that its adoption does not create new vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit.
Ultimately, as organizations in the Middle East continue to embrace cutting-edge technologies like AI or 5G, a proactive, collaborative approach to cybersecurity will be essential to mitigate the risks that come with digital transformation. Investing in advanced cybersecurity practices and fostering a culture of security is no longer optional—they are imperative for survival in the modern cyber landscape.
