IDC CISO Roundtable 2025

12 Nov 2025

Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel & Convention, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

IDC CISO Roundtable 2025

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AI Resilience in Action: Cyber Leadership for the Next Era

Overview

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.

Why Attend

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.

Agenda

IDC CISO Roundtable 2025

One day event

4:00 pm

Registration, Tea/Coffee & Networking

4:30 pm

Welcome Address

Shilpi Handa

Shilpi Handa

Associate Research Director (META), IDC

4:35 pm

Empowering CISOs: Trends in Saudi Arabia’s Cybersecurity Sector

Shilpi Handa

Shilpi Handa

Associate Research Director (META), IDC

4:50 pm

Securing Edge Devices in a Hybrid Work Environment

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

James Neilson

Senior Vice President, International, OPSWAT

5:00 pm

Q&A (Ask Questions & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle)

5:05 pm

Harnessing AI to Strengthen Cybersecurity Defenses

Michael Byrnes

Michael Byrnes

Director, Solutions Engineering, BeyondTrust

5:15 pm

Q&A (Ask Questions & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle)

5:20 pm

Disruptive Technologies- Transforming CyberSecurity Landscape

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

Mohammad Flaifel

Regional Sales Director, Group IB

5:30 pm

Q&A (Ask Questions & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle)

5:35 pm

Cyber Resilience for OT Environments

Address the specific challenges of protecting critical infrastructure sectors, such as energy, healthcare, and transportation, from sophisticated cyber threats and attacks.

5:45 pm

Q&A (Ask Questions & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle)

5:50 pm

Tea/Coffee & Networking

6:20 pm

CISO Panel Discussion: Building Robust and Adaptable Cybersecurity Frameworks

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.

6:50 pm

Panel Discussion: Leveraging AI and Automation to Support Secure Business Growth

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

Niraj Mathur

Managing Director, Protiviti Middle East Member Firm

7:35 pm

Panel Discussion: Developing and Empowering the Next Generation of Cybersecurity Professionals

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.

8:20 pm

CISO Panel Discussion: Navigating Regulatory Compliance with Confidence

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.

8:50 pm

Workshop: Back to the Future – Time Travelling CISO

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

Shilpi Handa

Associate Research Director (META), IDC

9:30 pm

Dinner & Networking

Speakers

Shilpi Handa

Shilpi Handa

Associate Research Director (META)

IDC

Read Bio

James Neilson

James Neilson

Senior Vice President, International

OPSWAT

Read Bio

Michael Byrnes

Michael Byrnes

Director, Solutions Engineering

BeyondTrust

Read Bio

Mohammad Flaifel

Mohammad Flaifel

Regional Sales Director

Group IB

Read Bio

Niraj Mathur

Niraj Mathur

Managing Director

Protiviti Middle East Member Firm

Read Bio

Our Partners

Platinum

Gold

Exhibit

Venue

Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel & Convention

Ibn Batouta 2 & 3 Ballroom

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