The Gulf Information Security Expo and Conference (GISEC Global 2026) concluded its three-day event at the Dubai World Trade Centre in Expo City Dubai, highlighting the most pressing challenges facing the cybersecurity sector. Key themes included preparing for the post-quantum computing era, addressing AI-driven crime, enhancing operational resilience, and protecting critical infrastructure.
The final day brought together cybersecurity leaders, government representatives, technology experts, and emerging talent to discuss ways to strengthen the ability of organizations and governments to counter evolving threats.
Preparing for the Post-Quantum Era
Quantum resilience dominated the final day’s agenda during the Quantum Security Summit, which explored the development of a roadmap for transitioning to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and preparing to protect data and digital infrastructure from future risks.
Dr. Bushra Al Blooshi, Executive Director of the Cyber Security Governance and Risk Management Department at the Dubai Electronic Security Center, reviewed global trends in developing transition plans for new encryption technologies.
Dr. Saeed Al Dhaheri, President of the Robotics and Automation Society (RAS), discussed a proposed roadmap to protect the UAE’s data and vital digital infrastructure. Experts from the Technology Innovation Institute, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, and CPX examined the practical challenges of implementing post-quantum cryptography in critical institutions.
Young Talent Uncovers Vulnerabilities
The Dark Stage highlighted the role of young talent in discovering security vulnerabilities during a session titled “Too Young to Be Hacked? Think Again.”
Security research engineer Panadana Kaur and junior cybersecurity engineer Ryan Agil, both from India, shared their experiences in discovering vulnerabilities and developing their technical skills.
The session emphasized the importance of providing pathways for emerging talent to apply their offensive security skills responsibly, contributing to the development of the next generation of digital defenders.
AI Reshapes Financial Crime
A session titled “Follow the Money: How Law Enforcement Is Redefining the Fight Against Cyber-Enabled Financial Crime” discussed the growth of organized and cross-border crime, with increasing use of AI in attacks.
Speakers included Yashasvi Yadav, Additional Director General of Police in the Cyber Security Department of Maharashtra, India, and Major Khalid Tahlik, Deputy Director of the Cybercrime and AI-Related Crimes Department for Surveillance and Security Programs at Dubai Police.
Participants stressed the importance of rapid response to disrupt the movement of stolen funds before they cross borders, as well as leveraging AI for data analysis, identifying intermediary accounts used for money transfers, and detecting deepfake techniques.
Yadav said, “AI is a double-edged sword, and those who make the best use of its potential will be best able to achieve results.”
Testing Operational Resilience and Cyber Sovereignty
The conference featured a two-hour hands-on exercise titled “Inside the Breach: A Live Simulation of Operational Technology (OT) System Integrity,” led by Captain John Ballentine and Thomas Blank.
Participants were asked to assess compromised systems and make decisions under pressure, highlighting the importance of readiness, coordination, and rapid response in protecting critical infrastructure.
A session on the Critical Infrastructure platform discussed the possibility of achieving cyber sovereignty in a connected world, with participation from Major General Vasileios Chatzidakis from Greece and Lieutenant Colonel Saeed M. Al Shibli from the UAE Ministry of Interior.
The discussion emphasized the importance of regional cooperation and public-private partnerships in enhancing national resilience, without requiring full technological independence.
Human Judgment at the Core of Cyber Defense
Participants explored ways to employ AI and automation to accelerate threat response while maintaining the role of humans in critical security decisions.
Prashant Haldankar, Managing Director and Group Chief Information Security Officer at Sekuro, said that attackers move at machine speed, necessitating the development of cyber defense methods while keeping human judgment at the core of important decisions.
A session titled “Women Defending the Digital World” addressed the importance of diverse expertise, continuous testing, and learning from incidents, with participation from Aisha Ahmed bin Haji, a cybersecurity consultant at the National Cyber Security Center in Bahrain.
The conference concluded by emphasizing the importance of combining technical advancement, human expertise, and international cooperation to enhance the ability of organizations and governments to confront current and future cyber threats.