GISEC Global 2025, set to take place from May 6 to 8 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, is the largest and most influential cybersecurity event in the Middle East and Africa. Hosted in strategic collaboration with top-tier UAE government entities—including the UAE Cybersecurity Council, Dubai Electronic Security Centre (DESC), the Ministry of Interior, and Dubai Police—the event is not just a gathering of cybersecurity experts but a powerful platform for public-private synergy, cross-sector collaboration, and global knowledge exchange. GISEC has steadily built a reputation for being the heartbeat of the region’s cybersecurity ecosystem, attracting over 25,000 professionals from more than 160 countries and featuring over 750 exhibiting global cybersecurity brands. These numbers are not just impressive statistics—they underscore the scale, scope, and strategic relevance of the event for anyone in the cybersecurity domain.
At its core, GISEC Global is a thought leadership conference, powered by 300+ hours of content and structured around 12 curated tracks. These tracks dive deep into the most pressing themes of contemporary cybersecurity. The Main Stage serves as the intellectual nucleus of the event, featuring a high-profile lineup of CISOs, security strategists, and futurists who unpack real-world cyberattacks, vulnerabilities in AI systems, and the evolution of ransomware. These sessions go beyond academic theory; they provide field-tested knowledge and practical playbooks for navigating an increasingly hostile digital environment. The Government Stage, hosted by DESC, explores national cyber resilience strategies, digital infrastructure defense mechanisms, and inter-agency coordination. Its role is pivotal, particularly as governments worldwide begin to define their cybersecurity posture as an extension of national defense and economic policy.
GISEC also places a strong emphasis on international cybersecurity diplomacy. This is embodied in the Global Cybersecurity Congress, a flagship platform powered by the UAE Cybersecurity Council. The congress assembles policymakers, cybersecurity authorities, and multilateral agencies to examine the cross-border nature of cyber threats and foster collaboration on harmonizing laws, information sharing, and international incident response protocols. This global forum is indispensable in an era where no digital ecosystem is truly isolated and cyber threats are becoming increasingly borderless.
Sector-specific knowledge is another hallmark of GISEC Global. Tracks such as the Critical Infrastructure Forum address the unique challenges faced by sectors like energy, transportation, water, and telecom—areas where the fallout of a cyberattack could have catastrophic consequences. Experts from utilities, regulators, and private defense contractors delve into the intricacies of securing OT and SCADA systems, designing resilient cyber-physical systems, and managing supply chain risks. The Financial Cybersecurity track zeroes in on banks, fintechs, and payment platforms—organizations under constant assault from phishing, deepfakes, and increasingly sophisticated fraud attempts. Sessions here explore cybersecurity risk governance, AI in fraud detection, and frameworks for securing digital assets and decentralized finance platforms.
A notable addition to the 2025 agenda is the OT Security Stage, which caters to the critical intersection between IT and operational technologies. As more industrial environments become digitally connected, they also become increasingly vulnerable. This track is expected to highlight risk models, ICS protocol security, and cyber incident case studies from manufacturing, oil and gas, and logistics sectors.
Beyond content, GISEC Global 2025 introduces several interactive and immersive event features designed to reinforce learning and stimulate engagement. The Hack-O-Sphere is a gamified cyber combat zone where teams compete in live ethical hacking battles and CTF-style challenges. These contests are not just entertaining; they’re educational, providing an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge under real-time pressure. Meanwhile, the Cyber Escape Room offers participants a simulated incident response challenge, where they must solve puzzles and decode attack scenarios to “escape” within a limited time—mimicking real-world conditions of a cyber crisis.
GISEC also serves as a powerful launchpad for cybersecurity startups through the NorthStar Startup Arena. Here, entrepreneurs from across the globe pitch innovative security tools and frameworks to venture capitalists, tech accelerators, and CIOs of major enterprises. This segment of the event has grown into a magnet for early-stage companies and a source of fresh innovation for large tech buyers. Complementing this is the event’s curated Meetings Programme, which facilitates pre-scheduled, one-on-one interactions between vendors and enterprise buyers—creating concrete business outcomes that go beyond traditional booth walk-ins.
Recognition and celebration of excellence are also embedded in the event through the GISEC Cybersecurity Awards. These awards spotlight achievements in digital resilience, leadership in threat intelligence, innovative tool development, and impactful public awareness campaigns. Categories span both public and private sector excellence, reinforcing GISEC’s commitment to holistic sector growth.
Key speakers for GISEC 2025 include:
- Albert Antwi-Boasiako, Director General, Ghana Cyber Security Authority
- Alex Levinson, CISO, Scale AI
- Ayoub Fathi, CISO, Noon
- Amit Ghodekar, Global CISO, Aramex
- Celia Mantshiyane, Group CISO, FNB Bank
- Neha Malhotra, VP, JP Morgan Chase
- Miguel De Bruycker, Director General, Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium
These thought leaders represent diverse geographies and industries—from AI-driven startups to government regulatory bodies—bringing with them an unparalleled depth of expertise and perspective. In essence, GISEC Global 2025 is more than a cybersecurity event; it is a strategic forum for dialogue, a showcase of innovation, and a hands-on training ground. It reflects the UAE’s and the wider region’s ambition to lead in cybersecurity readiness and global resilience. Whether you’re a seasoned CISO, an emerging startup founder, or a policymaker shaping national defense frameworks, GISEC is an essential destination to engage with the people, ideas, and technologies that are shaping the future of cybersecurity.
