SANS Institute to host largest cybersecurity training event in GCC at Hilton Dubai

SANS Institute, a prominent global entity in cybersecurity training and certifications, is set to host its largest cybersecurity training event in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region at the Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Beach Resort. The event, titled SANS Gulf Region 2024, will unfold over a span of nearly three weeks from 2 to 21 November 2024, marking a significant return to the UAE.

This event is poised to offer an extensive selection of 15 courses designed to provide hands-on training for participants. These sessions will be led by esteemed industry experts, enabling attendees to engage with professionals and peers within the global cybersecurity community. Such interaction is intended to facilitate knowledge sharing and offer valuable insights into the dynamic field of cybersecurity.

The significance of this event is underscored by the UAE’s current standing in global cybersecurity rankings. The nation was recently rated in the top global category by the International Telecommunication Union’s Global Cybersecurity Index. Additionally, projections indicate that the UAE’s cybersecurity market could contribute an estimated US$13 billion to the region’s digital economy by 2027.

As UAE organisations increasingly integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their operations, they face new challenges regarding cybersecurity. The rapid adoption of AI is driven by its potential to enhance business efficiency and innovation. Yet, the lack of adequate implementation and understanding of AI-related risks poses vulnerabilities to AI-based cyberattacks. Cybercriminals could potentially manipulate AI systems, breach security frameworks, and compromise sensitive organisational data. Consequently, there is a pressing need for employing informed and cautious strategies in AI deployment within business processes.

Ned Baltagi, the Managing Director of SANS Institute for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa, emphasises the growing importance of enhancing skills in this evolving cybersecurity landscape. “As organisations in the UAE continue to digitalise and integrate AI into cybersecurity strategies, the attack surface for cyberthreats expands,” he pointed out. Baltagi further highlighted that SANS training programmes support organisations in fortifying their security teams, crafting versatile and proactive defensive strategies crucial for economic growth and national security.

The training event includes a diverse array of specialised courses such as Enterprise-Class Incident Response & Threat Hunting (FOR608), Advanced Incident Response, Threat Hunting and Digital Forensics (FOR508), Applied Data Science and AI/Machine Learning for Cybersecurity Professionals (SEC595), Cloud Penetration Testing (SEC588), and Advanced Penetration Testing, Exploit Writing and Ethical Hacking (SEC660). These courses are available both in-person and live online, allowing participants to select their preferred learning mode.

Complementing the training sessions, SANS Gulf Region will also host three Community Night Talks in November. Nik Alleyne, on 4 November, will delve into employing Machine Learning to enhance the accuracy of security alerts. On 11 November, Chris Dale will share insights on how agile approaches are reshaping traditional penetration testing methods. Michael Hoffman will conclude the series on 18 November by evaluating the SANS ICS Five Critical Controls’ role in strengthening ICS/OT cybersecurity. Each talk is scheduled to occur from 5:30 to 6:30 PM local time.

The event will also feature two Core NetWars Tournaments, taking place on 5-6 November and 19-20 November, alongside the DFIR NetWars Tournament on 12-13 November, from 6:30 to 9:30 PM each evening.

Source: Noah Wire Services