12 Nov 2025
Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel & Convention, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
12 Nov 2025
Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel & Convention, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
As Saudi Arabia accelerates its digital transformation journey under Vision 2030, CISOs are at the forefront of navigating the nation’s evolving cybersecurity priorities. IDC’s Security Survey reveals that user identity management, security awareness, data privacy and compliance, and third-party risk assessment are the top areas of focus for organizations in the Kingdom. These findings underscore the urgent need for strong, adaptive leadership to safeguard digital ecosystems while enabling innovation.
The IDC CISO Roundtable 2025 will bring together senior cybersecurity leaders from government, energy, finance, and enterprise sectors to address these priorities. Through expert-led sessions, collaborative workshops, and CISO panel discussions, the event will tackle the most pressing cybersecurity challenges facing organizations today.
Attendees can expect to gain valuable insights into:
• Building robust and adaptable cybersecurity frameworks
• Leveraging AI and automation to support secure business growth
• Navigating regulatory compliance with confidence
• Developing and empowering the next generation of cybersecurity professionals
This forum will offer a unique platform for leaders to connect, exchange best practices, and collectively shape the future of cyber resilience in Saudi Arabia’s dynamic digital landscape.
Shilpi Handa
Associate Research Director (META), IDC
Shilpi Handa
Associate Research Director (META), IDC
Focus on the security challenges posed by the proliferation of edge devices in hybrid work settings and explore strategies for securing these critical points in an organization’s infrastructure.
James Neilson
Senior Vice President, International, OPSWAT
Michael Byrnes
Director, Solutions Engineering, BeyondTrust
Explore how emerging technologies are revolutionizing cybersecurity — challenging traditional approaches, empowering defenders with smarter tools, and creating both new opportunities and threats in the digital battlefield.
Mohammad Flaifel
Regional Sales Director, Group IB
Address the specific challenges of protecting critical infrastructure sectors, such as energy, healthcare, and transportation, from sophisticated cyber threats and attacks.
This panel will explore strategies for designing and evolving cybersecurity frameworks that can withstand today’s dynamic digital landscape. CISOs will discuss best practices for aligning security architecture with business objectives, integrating risk management, and ensuring frameworks remain resilient amid technological change and emerging challenges. The session will highlight real-world examples of adaptive frameworks that support both operational continuity and innovation.
Security vendors will examine how AI and automation are transforming cybersecurity solutions and enabling organizations to scale securely. The panel will cover the latest advancements in AI-driven threat detection, automated incident response, and intelligent risk analytics. Vendors will share case studies on how their technologies help clients accelerate digital transformation while maintaining robust security postures.
Niraj Mathur
Managing Director, Protiviti Middle East Member Firm
This session will address the critical role security vendors play in talent development and workforce empowerment. Panelists will discuss innovative training programs, partnerships with educational institutions, and the integration of upskilling initiatives into their service offerings. The conversation will highlight how vendors can help bridge the cybersecurity skills gap and support clients in building sustainable, future-ready security teams.
This discussion will focus on how CISOs can effectively manage the complexities of regulatory compliance in a rapidly changing environment. Panelists will share insights on interpreting new regulations, implementing compliance controls, and fostering a culture of accountability. The session will also address the role of automation and continuous monitoring in maintaining compliance, and how to prepare for audits and regulatory reviews with confidence.
Step into the shoes of a time-traveling CISO as we simulate the challenge of managing cybersecurity budgets in 2010 vs. 2025. This interactive session explores how evolving threat landscapes, regulatory pressures, and business priorities have reshaped security decision-making. Participants will experience the stark contrast between the reactive, perimeter-focused spending of 2010 and today’s complex mix of cloud security, AI-driven threats, zero trust, and compliance mandates.
Through real-world scenarios, the session highlights how modern CISOs must juggle risk, regulation, and resilience—balancing innovation with fiscal discipline in an era where every dollar must defend digital trust.
Shilpi Handa
Associate Research Director (META), IDC
Wednesday, November 12 2025 8:50 pm | Location:
Step into the shoes of a time-traveling CISO as we simulate the challenge of managing cybersecurity budgets in 2010 vs. 2025. This interactive session explores how evolving threat landscapes, regulatory pressures, and business priorities have reshaped security decision-making. Participants will experience the stark contrast between the reactive, perimeter-focused spending of 2010 and today’s complex mix of cloud security, AI-driven threats, zero trust, and compliance mandates.
Through real-world scenarios, the session highlights how modern CISOs must juggle risk, regulation, and resilience—balancing innovation with fiscal discipline in an era where every dollar must defend digital trust.
Wednesday, November 12 2025 4:35 pm | Location:
Wednesday, November 12 2025 4:30 pm | Location:
James Neilson serves as senior vice president for international at OPSWAT, where he leads global go-to-market and field operations for one of the fastest-growing companies in critical infrastructure protection. He is a global technology leader with over two decades of experience driving growth and innovation across the cybersecurity and enterprise software landscape. With a career spanning leadership roles at some of the industry’s most recognized firms, James has built and led high-performing teams across Europe, the Middle East, and APAC, consistently delivering results in complex, high-stakes environments. Prior to joining OPSWAT, he held executive roles at leading cybersecurity and SaaS companies, where he specialized in scaling international business units, developing partner ecosystems, and helping public and private sector organizations strengthen their cyber-resilience. His deep understanding of both mature and emerging markets makes him a trusted advisor to CISOs, regulators, and technology partners navigating the evolving threat landscape.
Wednesday, November 12 2025 4:50 pm | Location:
Focus on the security challenges posed by the proliferation of edge devices in hybrid work settings and explore strategies for securing these critical points in an organization’s infrastructure.
Michael Byrnes serves as BeyondTrust’s director of solutions engineering for the Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa. He has acquired a wealth of cybersecurity experience in a number of engagements over the last 12 years with a diverse set of IT companies across the Middle East, Africa, India, and Türkiye. Thanks to his various roles as a security consultant, a systems engineer, and within pre-sales, he has gained extensive expertise in network and information security, architecture design, and virtualization. In his current position at BeyondTrust, Michael manages the solution engineers’ team across the META region. With his group, he engages and advises partners, customers, and prospects on their privileged access management strategies to secure and manage their privileged identities and access.
Wednesday, November 12 2025 5:05 pm | Location:
Wednesday, November 12 2025 5:20 pm | Location:
Explore how emerging technologies are revolutionizing cybersecurity — challenging traditional approaches, empowering defenders with smarter tools, and creating both new opportunities and threats in the digital battlefield.
Niraj Mathur, an accomplished professional with over 18 years of experience in data security and privacy consulting, leads cybersecurity services at Protiviti Middle East in his role as managing director. He has effectively managed several large and intricate regional projects with his expertise in security strategy, security operations, and security architecture. Niraj has a proven track record of assisting prominent clients with compliance, risk management, security operations, and overall security road maps, both locally and globally.
Wednesday, November 12 2025 6:50 pm | Location:
Security vendors will examine how AI and automation are transforming cybersecurity solutions and enabling organizations to scale securely. The panel will cover the latest advancements in AI-driven threat detection, automated incident response, and intelligent risk analytics. Vendors will share case studies on how their technologies help clients accelerate digital transformation while maintaining robust security postures.