Registration & Networking

IDC Welcome Address

Shilpi Handa

Associate Research Director (META), IDC

Redesigning Security: Sovereignty, AI, and Resilience in Focus

Qatar’s security strategy centers on sovereign cloud adoption, regulatory alignment, and AI-driven resilience. National frameworks and cloud-first policies ensure data residency and privacy, supporting secure digital transformation in government, BFSI, healthcare, and energy. Organizations are investing in automation, threat intelligence, and compliance, with a strong emphasis on local infrastructure and talent to build robust, sector-specific security postures.

Sovereign Security: Localizing Talent, Data, and Infrastructure

Middle East organizations are embedding digital sovereignty into their transformation strategies by localizing talent, infrastructure, and AI systems. Sovereign security platforms ensure sensitive data is stored and governed within national borders, reducing exposure to foreign jurisdiction and geopolitical risks. This approach is central to national security, public sector modernization, and technological independence.

AI-Powered Threat Detection and Response

Security service providers in the Middle East are integrating large language models and behavioral analytics to deliver real-time, AI-powered threat detection and response. These systems accelerate threat hunting, automate incident classification, and enable proactive defense against advanced cyber threats, transforming SOC operations and improving regulatory compliance.

Zero Trust Security Models for Government and BFSI

Zero trust security is gaining traction in government and BFSI sectors, driven by regulatory mandates and the need for robust data protection. Middle East governments are updating privacy laws and deploying zero trust frameworks to ensure continuous verification, minimize attack surfaces, and comply with evolving regulations.

Cloud Security: Compliance, Visibility, and Resilience

Cloud security strategies in the region focus on regulatory compliance, data sovereignty, and operational resilience. Organizations are prioritizing local cloud regions, hybrid architectures, and sovereign controls to meet data residency requirements, reduce latency, and ensure visibility across distributed environments.

Identity and Access Management (IAM): The Only Perimeter

With identity attacks on the rise, IAM is now the primary security perimeter. Organizations are shifting to platform-based IAM solutions, integrating advanced authentication, access controls, and behavioral analytics to defend against credential theft and insider threats.

Operational Technology (OT) Security for Critical Infrastructure

Energy, utilities, and manufacturing sectors are strengthening OT security to counter sophisticated cyber threats. The focus is on segmenting networks, deploying real-time monitoring, and integrating AI-driven analytics to protect critical infrastructure and ensure regulatory compliance.

Tea/Coffee & Networking Break

IDC CISO Excellence Awards Ceremony

Mega Raffle Announcement

Lunch & Close of Summit