GISEC Global, the Middle East and Africa’s largest and most impactful cybersecurity show, is marking its 13th edition by hosting the first in-person Global CyberDrill, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and hosted by the United Arab Emirates Cyber Security Council, which will bring together CERTs, CIRTs, and CSIRTs from over 100 countries to strengthen cross-border partnerships and
bolster the world’s cybersecurity posture.

Taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre from 23-25 April, GISEC Global is expected to welcome more than 750 of the world’s foremost cybersecurity companies, as well as 350-plus leading speakers and 1,000 cybersecurity professionals from different countries across the world.

The Global CyberDrill is a complementary component of the international exhibition and is well positioned to drive greater global cooperation under the common goal of mitigating rising cyber threats.

The three-day exercise will highlight the crucial role of national cybersecurity centres and computer emergency response teams/computer incident response teams worldwide in safeguarding critical information infrastructure.

By assessing critical targets and prompting real-time collaboration, the Global CyberDrill will test participating teams’ readiness against cyberattacks and will provide solutions to enhance capabilities, improve response times, and refine corporate strategies.

Organizers ITU and UAE Cyber Security Council have high hopes for the programme.

The interactive Global CyberDrill can help countries embrace a proactive stance against an increasingly volatile cybersecurity landscape.

“The Global CyberDrill in Dubai demonstrates ITU’s commitment to strengthening cybersecurity, through global efforts, solid partnerships and real life learning as it provides hands-on exercises that simulate real-world cyber threats, enabling participants to learn and strengthen their effective responses to cyber incidents.” said Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director, Telecommunication Development Bureau, ITU.

He added: “The Global CyberDrills serve as a significant platform for Member States and international organizations to convene and drive forward discussions on important cybersecurity topics, including cyber resilience, cyber diplomacy and artificial intelligence. By promoting collaboration and dialogue, Global CyberDrills stand as a cornerstone in fostering trust and confidence-building measures, enhancing cyber resilience worldwide. I profoundly thank the Government of the United Arab Emirates for graciously hosting and generously sponsoring countries to participate in this and similar events.”

Commenting on the launch of the initiative, Dr. Mohamed Hamad Al-Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government, said: “We at the UAE Cyber Security Council are honoured to partner with ITU, the UN-specialised agency for ICTs, to launch the first in-person Global CyberDrill at GISEC Global 2024 - the region’s most influential industry show. This ground-breaking initiative convenes over 100 national cybersecurity authorities and specialists hailing from international security centres and response teams, including CSIRT, CERT, and CIRTs, for an immersive exercise aimed at fortifying their preparedness against sophisticated and complex cyber threats.”

He added: “In the face of escalating cyberattacks, the exercise presents an unparalleled opportunity to showcase new approaches, methodologies, and technologies to safeguard critical infrastructure. The linchpin to a secure and trustworthy digital environment in which companies, organisations, and individuals may thrive lies in cross-regional cooperation, uniting both private and public sectors to collectively improve defences and cultivate a bold cybersecurity culture.”

On supporting the initiative, Jasim Al Awadi, Chief ICT Officer at du said: “In our commitment towards creating a safe and secure future in the digital realm, we at du, take great pride in joining the Global CyberDrill challenge as a founding partner. This unique, hands-on approach to cybersecurity, coordinated by GISEC Global, ITU, and the UAE Cyber Security Council promises to be a game-changing initiative in the face of escalating cyber threats. By mimicking real cyberattacks, the initiative provides a space for global teams to improve their response times, refine their strategies, and ultimately strengthen the world’s resilience to digital threats. We anticipate the immersive experience shifting the overall understanding of managing cybersecurity in an ever-evolving digital landscape.”

Meanwhile,  African Development Bank Group President Akinwumi Adesina called for more urgent action as climate change continues to wreak havoc in many African countries.

He was speaking at a high-level roundtable on climate finance convened during the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Spring Meetings by UK Deputy Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, and the German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Svenja Schulze, according to a press released issued by the  Abidjan-based bank.