Information Security Critical With Increased Dependence on Virtual Technology

DUBAI, UAE, December 8, 2011 -

Dubai Internet City Sponsors Black Hat Abu Dhabi 2011 as ICT Partner for Second Consecutive Year

Cybercrime is costing the UAE economy over US$600 million each year reveals a report released by online security firm Norton. The figure highlights the phenomenal risk organisations face from an information security breach, according to Malek Al Malek, Managing Director, Dubai Internet City, a member of TECOM Investments’ ICT cluster.

Malek’s comments came ahead of Black Hat Abu Dhabi 2011, the world’s leading information security conference, which is scheduled to be held from 12-15 December at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. Dubai Internet City’s support of the event,as an ICT Partner,comes on the back of its status as an ICT hub in the region.

The four-day event will bring together global leading experts to discuss the latest and most pressing security issues facing the ICT sector. In addition to numerous briefings, the event will also feature a full range of intensive workshops that will focus on sharing practical insights, best practices and the exchange of knowledge.

Malek said: “With a steep rise in the use of social networking sites, and increasing reliance on internet-based applications, intensive internet security is critical in safeguarding information. Undoubtedly, data security and prevention of data loss is a primary concern for organisations across the globe in all sectors of business.”

“Black Hat Abu Dhabi 2011 provides an ideal industry platform for CIOs, IT professionals and business owners to gain insights on potential threats and the importance of investment in IT security.  Additionally, it allows them to stay current on market trends and preventive measures, which can help determine the success of their business.”

Travis Carelock, Technical Director, Black Hat, said: “We are delighted to have Dubai Internet City’s support at Abu Dhabi 2011 for the second year.  As a regional ICT hub, DIC recognises the increased importance of IT security and the need to be at the cutting-edge to protect the interests of their business partners and businesses in the region.”

The keynote speech titled ‘Cyber Security and Cyber Threats in a Changing World’ will be presented by General (Retired) Michael Hayden, former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Deputy Director of the National Security Agency (NSA).

During the conference, key issues facing the industry will be discussed including the ‘Legal Aspects of Cyber Security’, ‘Software Security Goes Mobile’ and ‘Determining Personality Traits and Privacy Concerns from Facebook Activity’. Training sessions including ‘Cyber Network Defence Bootcamp’, ‘Hacking by Numbers’, ‘Malware Forensics and Incident Response’ and ‘Mobile Hacking’  will offer delegates opportunities to learn how best to ensure online security.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) represented by the UAE Computer Emergency Response Team (aeCERT), in cooperation with Khalifa University of Science, Technology, and Research (KUSTAR) has partnered with UBM Middle East for the second year in a row to bring Black Hat Abu Dhabi to Emirates Palace from 12^th to 15^th December 2011.

At the forefront of the region’s ICT industry, Dubai Internet City iscommitted to supporting emerging technology trends in the region and continues to play an instrumental role in developing the industry, while contributing to Dubai’s drive for creating a knowledge-based economy.

About Dubai Internet City

Dubai Internet City (DIC), a member of TECOM Investments, was established in 2000. It is currently regarded the Middle East’s largest information and communications technology (ICT) cluster. Built as a strategic base for companies targeting emerging markets in several neighbouring regions, DIC’s core focus area extends from the Middle East to the Indian Subcontinent and from Africa to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), covering nearly three billion people with a GDP of over US$10 trillion. As a knowledge-oriented business model, DIC has created a dynamic international community of IT companies hosting business partners that include most of the Fortune 500 brands, as well as a number of small and medium enterprises and ventures. In 2009, 135 new companies joined the DIC cluster. For more information, please visit: www.dubaiinternetcity.com

About Black Hat Abu Dhabi

For more information, please see www.blackhat.com

Individuals, associations, government bodies, academic institutions and companies interested in finding out more about Black Hat Abu Dhabi should contact the organisers, UBM Middle East for information, on +971-2-406-4471 or email matthew.robarts@ubm.com

Black Hat briefings and training is the largest and most important security conference series in the world.  Black Hat Abu Dhabi is organised by UBM Middle East on behalf of TechWeb, a division of UBM.

Media, for all enquires and to register to attend please contact:

Mita Srinivasan, Market Buzz, mita@themarketbuzz.net, +971-4-3625484

For other marketing related enquiries:

Bryan Espie, Marketing Director, UBM Middle East, bryan.espie@ubm.com or +971-2-406-4471.

Further information on UBM Middle East can be found at www.ubm.com  

For further information please contact:
Nancy Sudheer
APCO Worldwide (JiWin Public Relations)
Tel:         +971-4-369-2834 (direct)
             +971-4-361-3333 (switchboard)
Mob:         +971-50-7055290 / +971-55-954868
Fax:         +971-4-388-8001
E-mail:     nsudheer@apcoworldwide.com

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