FORTIFYING THE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
SHAPING RESILIENCE IN THE AGE OF AI

9 SEPTEMBER 2025 | MILLENNIUM AL RAWDAH HOTEL | ABU DHAВІ

OFFICIALLY HOSTED BY

GOVERNMENT SUPPORTING PARTNERS

Agenda Coming Soon...

Ashraf Koheil

Vice President Sales

Group-IB

Ashraf Koheil is the Vice President Global Sales for Group-IB, META & ANZ responsible for overseeing Business Development and Execution strategies for direct sales, channel partners, distribution, and corporate businesses.

With over 25 years of experience in the high-tech industry, Ashraf has held key positions at FireEye, Microsoft, and Telstra, coaching, leading, and recruiting teams to deliver both outstanding business outcomes and strong partner insights and relationships.

In addition, he regularly attends technology and telecom commercialization forums, acting as a speaker and presenter to various regional forums and startup entrepreneurs.

Ashraf is a certified business coach and has been recognized for his execution and coaching excellence. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Ain Shams University, Egypt, which he obtained in 1989.

Wajdi Khalid

Manager, Sales (Rest of Gulf, Turkey, & Africa)

Recorded Future

As a Regional Manager at Recorded Future, Wajdi leads the sales team across the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa regions. He has over 20 years of experience in sales with a focus on mitigating cyber risks for the last 10 years. Passionate about helping organizations protect themselves against cyber threats by providing them with the most comprehensive solution to deliver valuable outcomes. A proven track record of building and maintaining strong relationships with key accounts and delivering value to customers through strategic account management.

Miguel Duarte

VP, MSS

Cybergate Defense

Miguel is a seasoned cybersecurity management professional with over 20 years of international experience across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).

A global polyglot, he brings deep expertise across cybersecurity, service delivery, security architecture , GRC, program management , solution development, operations , commercial & contract management .

Known for his adaptive leadership style , Miguel thrives in complex, fast-changing environments . He fosters innovation , flexibility, and resilience within his teams, promoting a culture of continuous learning and agility to meet evolving business needs.

His career spans diverse sectors, including startups , energy, retail , telecommunications (ISP) , parking , government , including both managed service and managed security service providers (MSP/MSSP)

Miguel’s ability to bridge technical and strategic domains makes him a trusted leader in driving secure, scalable, and business-aligned solutions and Services.


Dr. Emir Vajzovic

Director of Academy Programs

Cyber Gate

Dr. Emir Vajzovic is an accomplished education leader, professor, and cybersecurity specialist with more than two decades of expertise in information security and contemporary security studies. His career spans academia, consulting, and strategic policy development, where he has successfully led programs that connect organizational needs with human-centric education and workforce empowerment. Through a multidisciplinary lens, Dr. Emir analyzes the intersections of digital transformation, security, media, and governance, offering actionable strategies for navigating complex multi-stakeholder environments. As a researcher and author, he contributes innovative insights that bridge education, technology, and security to address the most pressing challenges of our time. His work empowers organizations and individuals to develop resilience, foster competence, and align with evolving global security landscapes.

Ilya Leonov

Regional Director MENA

Positive Technologies

Ilya Leonov is an accomplished IT and cybersecurity executive with over a decade of experience delivering cutting-edge solutions and driving business growth across the Middle East and beyond.

Holding a Master’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering and advanced industry-recognized certifications in Cyber Threat Intelligence, Incident Response, and Computer Crimes Investigation, Ilya combines deep technical expertise with visionary leadership. His career spans roles from engineering to executive leadership, with a proven track record of building, scaling, and optimizing cybersecurity operations.

Highlights

  • Strategic Leadership: Oversees regional go-to-market strategy, revenue growth, and enterprise-level cybersecurity engagements at Positive Technologies across MENA.

  • Technology Visionary: Spearheaded the creation and deployment of critical cybersecurity services, including SOC, Threat Intelligence, Vulnerability Management, and Security Awareness across Bahrain, UAE, KSA, and Qatar.

  • Academic Contributor: Played a pivotal role in developing a Master’s degree program in cybersecurity at a leading Middle Eastern technical university.

Thought Leadership & Industry Presence

Ilya is a published author in cybersecurity media, providing expert insights on emerging threats, security architecture, regional trends, and operational resilience. His articles and thought pieces are valued by both practitioners and decision-makers seeking clarity in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

He is also a frequent speaker and panelist at top cybersecurity events, conferences, and industry roundtables across the Middle East, where he shares frontline experience and strategic perspectives on SOC modernization, cyber defense frameworks, and regulatory compliance.


Core Competencies

  • Managed Security Services (MSS)

  • Security Operations Center (SOC) Development & Maturity Models

  • Managed Detection & Response (MDR)

  • SIEM, SOAR, Threat Intelligence Platforms

  • ISO 27001, PCI DSS, NIST Framework

  • Risk Management & Vulnerability Assessment

  • Executive Cybersecurity Briefings & Awareness

Khaled Al Teneiji

Cyber Security Head Group IT, Shared Services Center

ENOC

Khaled Alteneiji is the Head of Cybersecurity and recognized leader in digital security and risk management. With deep expertise in protecting critical infrastructure, Khaled has led large-scale cybersecurity initiatives across high-stakes sectors such as energy, oil and gas, and government. He is especially known for his work in Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity, where he has developed and implemented robust frameworks to secure industrial control systems and bridge the gap between IT and OT environments.

Maher Yamout

Lead Security Researcher, Global Research & Analysis Team

Kaspersky

Maher serves as a Lead Security Researcher within the Global Research & Analysis Team (GReAT) at Kaspersky. He possesses a robust background in threat intelligence, cybersecurity, digital forensics, and incident response, providing clients with critical insights into cyber risks and advanced persistent threats affecting the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa.

Before joining Kaspersky in 2018, Maher held a position as a cybersecurity specialist in the public sector and served as a Specialist Senior Manager at Deloitte Middle East. He led and participated in a variety of security assessments for clients across the UK, Middle East, and GCC region. His expertise includes red teaming, penetration testing, industrial control system security, mobile and web application security testing, and physical security assessments. Additionally, Maher has been involved in numerous incident response efforts addressing issues such as phishing attacks, ransomware incidents, cyber espionage, advanced persistent threats, POS malware, online banking fraud, and insider threats.

Maher holds a degree in Computer Science and a master’s degree in Intelligence Studies, along with several certifications in geopolitics, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.

Musaab Hasan

Advisor – Information Security & Business Continuity Planning

Emirates College for Advanced Education

Ashwaq Ashwaq Al Ameri

Information Security Manager (CISO)

Abu Dhabi Government

Amal Al Obeidli

Section Head, Information Security Operations

DOH

Khaled Al Teneiji

Cyber Security Head, Group IT, Shared Services Center

ENOC

Hesham Abdulhadi

Technical Solutions Expert, Industrial Cybersecurity, META

Kaspersky

With nearly two decades of experience at the intersection of control systems and cybersecurity, Hesham Abdulhadi brings deep technical expertise and strategic insight to the evolving landscape of industrial security. Since 2017, Hesham has served as Kaspersky’s Industrial Cybersecurity Technical expert for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa (META).

Hesham plays a pivotal role in helping critical infrastructure sectors—including Power, Oil & Gas, and other industrial domains—integrate robust cybersecurity frameworks into their operations. Prior to joining Kaspersky, he held key roles with leading automation vendors such as EPM, Siemens, and Yokogawa, where he delivered innovative control system solutions and cybersecurity strategies.

A trusted advisor to industry stakeholders, Hesham is passionate about securing the technologies that drive industrial progress.

Sheik Abideen

Regional Sales Director - MEA

Securonix

Sheik Abideen is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of expertise in cybersecurity, SaaS, and cloud solutions, specializing in the Middle East market. Since joining Securonix in 2019 as Regional Director for MEA, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s growth across the region. Known for his deep industry knowledge and strategic leadership, Sheik Abideen has driven business success and strengthened Securonix’s presence in the MEA market. His extensive experience and innovative approach have established him as a trusted leader and key contributor to advancing the cybersecurity landscape in the region.

ALI ISMAIL AWAD

Associate Professor of Cybersecurity

United Arab Emirates University

JAIFAR AL MAMARI

Head of Cyber Security

Vodafone Oman

Jaifar Al Mamari is Vodafone Oman’s Cyber Security Lead, boasting over 17 years in cybersecurity leadership. He is recognized for initiating several firsts in the country, including Oman’s first bug bounty program, pioneering cloud container workload protections, and the proactive fortification of API security, setting new benchmarks in cybersecurity excellence.

In his pivotal role, Jaifar applies a deep knowledge of next-generation technologies to strengthen the organization’s digital defenses, ensuring robust protection against the dynamic and evolving landscape of cyber threats. With a focus on neutralizing advanced persistent threat (APT) groups, Jaifar brings a proactive and strategic approach to cybersecurity. His adeptness in anticipating and mitigating potential cyber threats has made him a respected figure in the field.

DEE DEU

Director of Information Security

Chalhoub Group

JAWAD HASSAN

Cybersecurity Lead

Federal Tax Authority

QAIS SAQER

Information Security Officer

The Department of Municipalities and Transport

KENNETH OKAI

Head IT Infrastructure

Louvre Abu Dhabi

DANA SHATILA

Sr. Digital Strategy & Technology Advisor

Confidential

Manish Kumar

OT Network & Cybersecurity Manager Global Innovation & Digital Engineering 

Kent

Toufeeq Ahmed

Group Head of Cybersecurity

Gargash Group

Eng. Abdulwahab Al Gamhi

Senior Director, Information Security

Miral Experiences

Abdulwahab Algamhi is a results-driven cybersecurity executive with a 14 year track record leading national and enterprise security programs across government and critical industries. Renowned for building resilient cybersecurity strategies, driving Zero Trust and OT security, and aligning cyber initiatives with business transformation, he has led impactful security roles at MOI, ICP, and Miral. His work is defined by operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and trusted board-level engagement.

THOMAS MCCARTHY

CEO OSP Cyber Academy Cyber News Global

Advisory Board Member UK Cyber Centre of Excellence

Lt. Col Dr. Essa Almutawa

Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer

Dubai Civil Defence H.Q.

AHMED NABIL MAHMOUD

VP & Head of Information Security Engineering

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank

BIJU HAMEED

Head-Technology Infrastructure Operations

Dubai Airports

HANI BANI AMER

Head - Information Security

Al Etihad Payments

IBRAHIM (ABE) ABUAWWAD

VP Information Technology | Cybersecurity

Mitsui E&P Middle East B.V.

KIRAN KUMAR

CISO

Alpheya

Shafiullah ISMAIL

Senior Vice President & Head of Information Security and Risk

Mubadala Capital

Eissa AlHammadi

Director - Information and Cyber Security Office (CISO)

DOH

ZAKI KRAYEM

Head of Network & Industrial Cyber Security, META

Kaspersky

MARZOUQ A.

CISO

Abu Dhabi Aviation & Aerospace

Alok Tuteja

Cybersecurity, GRC & Compliance Head

Esyasoft Holding, part of IHS Group

Badreya AlMehairi

AVP Senior Manager, Data privacy - Information Security

Mashreq Bank

H.E. DR. Mohamed Alkuwaiti

Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government

UAE Cyber Security

Iolanda Costa Gomes

Digital Transformation Change Lead

ADNOC Group

Ali Othman

Cybersecurity Country Head (UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Algeria)

HSBC

Vijay Velayutham

Principal Information Security Officer

Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure

Dr. Luigi Martino

Assistant Professor, Research Scientist

Khalifa University

Dr Hamad Khalifa Alnuaimi

Head of Telecommunication

Abu Dhabi Police GHO

ABDULRAHMAN ALBLOOSHI

Head of Cybersecurity

Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure