Dr. Dari Alhuwail

Acting Department Chair, Information Science Department, Kuwait University

Dr. Abdullah Almutawa

Acting VP for Academic Support Services, Kuwait University

Prof. Ahmad Allafi

Acting Dean, College of Life Sciences, Kuwait University

Mr. Waleed Saleh Al-Qalaf

Board Member, CITRA

بناء فضاء سيبراني آمن

نبذة:

يدرك الجميع أهمية بناء فضاء سيبراني آمن وتؤكد على الزامنا المشترك لجعل الكويت أكثر أمناَ وتطوراَ لمواجهة أخطار هذا الفضاء. في السنوات القليلة الماضية أظهرت أن تدابير الأمن السيبراني التقليدية لم تعد كافية لحماية المؤسسات، مما يضع الكويت أمام تحديات كبيرة ورئيسية في الفترة المقبلة ممثلة في تنفيذ الاستراتيجية الوطنية للأمن السيبراني وفق الخطة المعد لها وتجاوز هذه التحديات يتطلب تكاتف قطاعات الدولة العامة والخاصة.

Dr. Reem Alshammari

Digital Transformation Leader of Corporate Solutions & Digital Oil Fields, Kuwait Oil Company

Eng. Mohammed Aldoub

Cybersecurity Consultant and Global Trainer

Less is More: Cyber resilience in government

Abstract:

Government cyber security and resilience challenges differ greatly from the private sector, and while most cyber security and resilience expertise and best practices come from the private sector; applying it to the government sector is a whole different game. Driving factors in the Gov sector differ greatly, and so does the cyber security and resilience challenges. In this talk I will propose massive changes and perspective shifts that can help the government sector better plan for cyber security and resilience using the motto of "Less is more".

Mr. Puneet V. Kakkar

Resident Legal Advisor to the Gulf, U.S. Embassy, Kuwait

From Guns to Keyboards: Cyberterrorism and Resilience in the Digital Battlefield

Abstract:

Terrorists have taken their techniques of attacks from the battlefield to the digital field. Over the past few years, terrorist groups and those sponsored by nation-states supporting terrorism have attacked, and attempted to attack, critical industries through sophisticated hacking mechanisms. These malign actors seek to further their goals of disrupting peace in other countries and raise money to sustain their efforts. The United States has responded to these concerns by investigating and prosecuting these illicit actors, sanctioning their ability to do business, and working with the private sector to ensure that the community can preempt, mitigate, and address cyber attacks. Cyberterrorism is one example of the importance of an overall resilience strategy for all actors who have a presence online. This discussion will describe recent threats in this realm, efforts to preempt and mitigate these types of attacks, and best practices for victim response and reporting of cyber incidents.

Eng. Ali Al-Enizi

Group Leader: Infrastructure and Cybersecurity, Kuwait Aviation Services Company; Board Member, Automated System Company

Aviation Digital Transformation: Cybersecurity Challenges and Industry Future

Abstract:

The aviation industry relies on a quite complex infrastructure integrated into multiple systems that need to be individually and holistically protected.
Maintaining safe, secure, and resilient operations is a top priority for aviation. Digital transformation brings many advantages to aviation, but at the same time, create challenges in managing cyber vulnerabilities in this complex environment. The airline industry is an attractive target for cyber threat actors with a multitude of motivations, ranging from stealing value in data or money to causing disruptions and harm. Cybersecurity is often the specter that comes with any digital transformation.
During the session, AlEnezi will talk about the current cybersecurity challenge in Aviation and future plans aim to provide a seamless inflight experience.

Dr. Hussain Al-Mohri

Assistant Professor, Computer Science Department, Kuwait University

Is policy to be blamed?

Abstract:

Securing systems requires the right policy and the right mechanisms to enforce the policies. When systems fail to protect one of the major security requirements (integrity, confidentiality, and availability), we often blame the mechanism (i.e., the enforcement component) and look for points of failure in the system, sometimes as software vulnerabilities. Instead, we ask if our policy is to be blamed for the failure of the system? Did we invest enough energy in analyzing and designing the right policy? This talk will briefly point out and discuss the difficulty of analyzing security and designing the right security policies.

Dr. Ameer Mohammed

Assistant Professor, Computer Engineering Department, Kuwait University

Cybersecurity Implications of Quantum Computing

Abstract:

Current technological advancements in digital computation and communication have given rise to a variety of innovative and groundbreaking applications. However, as the technologies underlying these applications are still in their early stages, it is vital that the impact they have on the security and privacy of users is carefully studied before full-scale deployment is considered. In this talk, we will focus on one such emerging technology: quantum computing. We will briefly outline the basics of operation of quantum computers and explain the motivation behind their use over classical computers. We then explore the impact that quantum computation would have on cybersecurity, highlighting not only its usefulness as a powerful mechanism for enabling highly secure protocols, but also its controversial application as a tool for breaking existing “weak” security. Lastly, we will go over some current cybersecurity challenges and expectations for the future as quantum computers approach realization.

Prof. Kassem Saleh

Graduate Programs Director, Information Science Department, Kuwait University

Building Cybersecurity Knowledge and Capabilities in Kuwait

Abstract:

In this talk, we briefly present the cybersecurity capability maturity model and its dimensions including building cybersecurity knowledge and capabilities. We then present the four factors contributing to this dimension, that is, awareness, education, professional training, and research and innovation. Finally, we reflect on the situation in Kuwait with respect to this dimension and its factors, and we recommend developing a national strategic plan to address and enhance the maturity of cybersecurity capacity.

Pro. Kassem Saleh

Graduate Programs Director, Information Science Department, Kuwait University

Mr. Vivek Joshi

Deputy Counselor for Economic Affairs, U.S. Embassy, Kuwait

Eng. Ali Al-Khaled

Head, IT Security Unit, Central Bank of Kuwait

Eng. Meshal AlZayed

Head of Emergency Response section, CITRA

Moderated by:

Dr. Omar Al-Ibrahim

Assistant Professor, Information Science Department, Kuwait University

Dr. Dari Alhuwail

Acting Department Chair, Information Science Department, Kuwait University