The Gulf Information Security Expo & Conference (GISEC Global 2026) is set to highlight the latest cybersecurity trends, with a particular focus on quantum computing, operational technology (OT) security, artificial intelligence, and the protection of critical infrastructure. The event comes as digital threats and geopolitical tensions continue to rise worldwide.
Organized by inD, the event will take place at the Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City Dubai from 16 to 18 September 2026. It will bring together governments, critical infrastructure operators, cybersecurity leaders, and technology pioneers to strengthen readiness against the next generation of cyber threats.
According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026, 91% of major global organizations have adapted their cybersecurity strategies in response to geopolitical volatility. This coincides with accelerating government and institutional investments in security technologies capable of addressing challenges related to quantum computing.
Preparing for the Post-Quantum Era
The GISEC Global 2026 program includes the Quantum Computing Security Summit, hosted by the UAE Cybersecurity Council and the Technology Innovation Institute, as well as the Global Quantum Drill. The drill aims to develop readiness for security challenges in the post-quantum computing era.
The summit and drill will cover topics such as post-quantum cryptography, transition strategies to quantum-resistant technologies, hardware security, cryptographic asset discovery, digital sovereignty, governance of institutional transitions, and emerging certification in secure digital communications.
Ibrahim Skri, founder of Australia-based Attack Insights, said that GISEC is a platform that brings together cybersecurity leaders in the region to evaluate security solutions away from marketing promises. He explained that the company focuses on testing what attackers can actually access and bringing the attacker’s perspective to organizations responsible for protecting critical infrastructure in the UAE and the region.
Strengthening Critical Infrastructure Security
Alongside preparations for quantum computing challenges, the event focuses on enhancing the security of current operational environments by showcasing advanced cyber defense solutions for the energy, utilities, transport, manufacturing, and financial services sectors.
The exhibition will feature live demonstrations, threat simulations, and specialized sessions on OT security. It will also showcase the latest innovations in AI-powered defense, secure digital transformation, sovereign cloud security, self-operating security operations, and national-level threat intelligence.
Cyber Resilience Goes Beyond Prevention
As the complexity of cyberattacks increases, GISEC Global 2026 highlights the importance of response and recovery capabilities, in addition to preventive measures.
Ayman Hammouda, Senior Director of Sales Engineering at Cohesity, said that only 2% of organizations worldwide can recover from a cyberattack within 24 hours, reflecting the limited level of resilience among many organizations and governments.
He added that organizations are no longer focusing solely on the speed of restoring systems, but are moving toward ensuring the reliability of the services being restored. He stressed the importance of cooperation between governments and the industrial sector, information and expertise exchange, and advance preparation to reduce disruptions and accelerate recovery.
GISEC Global provides an international platform for governments, industries, and academia to exchange knowledge, build partnerships, and develop practical solutions to protect critical infrastructure and accelerate secure digital transformation, supporting the building of more resilient economies.
The event aligns with the objectives of the Dubai Cyber Security Strategy, the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), the National Strategy for the Digital Economy, and the We the UAE 2031 vision.