Agenda

IT Security Xchange South Africa

Agenda

IT Security Xchange & Awards Qatar

One Day Event

8:30AM

Registration & Networking

9:00AM

IDC Welcome Address

Shilpi Handa

Shilpi Handa

Associate Research Director (META), IDC

9:05AM

IDC Keynote: Orchestrating Resilience Amid Transformation, Regulation, and Emerging Threats

META’s cybersecurity agenda is shaped by unprecedented digital acceleration, regulatory dynamism, and the proliferation of advanced threats across IT, OT, and cloud. As organizations embrace AI, platform-centric architectures, and hybrid environments, the attack surface expands and adversaries become more sophisticated—leveraging GenAI, identity compromise, and cyber-physical exploits. 

Shilpi Handa

Shilpi Handa

Associate Research Director (META), IDC

9:15AM

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.

9:30AM

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.

9:45AM

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.

9:55AM

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.

10:05AM

Group Innovation Challenge: Crisis Command- The CISO Resilience Challenge

An interactive, fast-paced crisis simulation where each table acts as the leadership team of a major organization responding to escalating regional instability, cyber threats, misinformation, operational disruption, and executive pressure. Teams must make rapid strategic decisions under uncertainty, balance business and security priorities, and adapt to evolving crisis scenarios in real time. Designed to be engaging, competitive, and highly realistic, the experience focuses on leadership, resilience, communication, and decision-making during chaos.

Shilpi Handa

Shilpi Handa

Associate Research Director (META), IDC

10:35AM

Tea/ Coffee & Networking Break

11:05AM

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.

11:15AM

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.

11:25AM

Data Privacy and Protection: Navigating New Regulations

Middle East is rapidly updating data privacy laws, requiring organizations to adapt governance frameworks and compliance strategies. The emphasis is on data localization, consent management, and continuous monitoring to meet stringent regulatory standards.

11:35AM

Xchange Table- First Cycle

11:55AM

Xchange Table- Second Cycle

12:15PM

End User Panel Discussion: Secure AI in Action: Lessons from CISOs

End users share real-world experiences implementing secure AI frameworks, focusing on compliance, identity, and network segmentation.​ Panelists will highlight the practical steps taken to align AI initiatives with organizational risk management and regulatory requirements. They will discuss the importance of cross-functional collaboration between security, IT, and business teams to ensure AI deployments are both secure and scalable. The session will also explore how organizations are adapting their security postures to address emerging AI threats and vulnerabilities. Attendees will gain insights into lessons learned and best practices for operationalizing secure AI.​
12:45PM

Workshop Roundtable Sessions

Workshop Roundtable

12:45PM1:35PM

Session 1- Managed Detection and Response (MDR): The Digital Control Plane

12:45PM1:35PM

Session 2- AI-Driven Security Automation and Orchestration

12:45PM1:35PM

Securing Privileged Access in the Age of AI, Hybrid Environments, and Ever-Scaling NHI

Vijay Balakrishnan

Vijay Balakrishnan

Senior Sales Engineer, Delinea

12:45PM1:35PM

Session 4- Supply Chain Security: Mitigating Third-Party Risks

1:35PM

CISO Excellence Awards Ceremony

2:05PM

Winner Announcement of Group Innovation Challenge

2:10PM

Lunch & Networking

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