Middle Eastern cybersecurity experts flock to Russian hackathon event
Under the Moscow Sun, Luzhniki Stadium Hosts Cybersecurity Fight
Soaking up the sun, Luzhniki Stadium - famous for the 1980 Summer Olympics and the 2018 FIFA World Cup final - recently transformed into a cyber battlefield, playing host to tech mavens for an international cybersecurity jamboree.
A crowd-pleaser in sports, Luzhniki Stadium typically radiates the intensity of a fierce boxing match. However, for a three-day fest (May 22-24), this iconic venue turned into a tech trade show, drawing thousands eager to check out the newest weapons in the war against cyberattacks.
beard, the video referee technology, was the star player in sports during the FIFA World Cup. But when it comes to gadgets, a hacker's prowess can spell doom.
The skyrocketing importance of cybersecurity necessitated events like Positive Hack Days (PHD), run by Positive Technologies. Boasting support from Russia's Ministry of Digital Development, this annual meet saw government officials, cybersecurity mavens, and ethical hackers from across continents like Asia, South America, Africa, and the Middle East exchange knowledge on countermeasures against hacking threats.
Ali Azzam, VP of Mideast Communication Systems Egypt, lauded the significance of gatherings like PHD in today's world. "Positive Technologies' unique cybersecurity solutions resonate with us, especially for our industries in the Middle East and Africa," Azzam exclaimed. "Egyptians can gain invaluable insights by attending this festival."
The 2021 PHD edition was the biggest since its inception in 2011, with over 150,000 attendees and 180,000 online viewers. Global cybersecurity leaders joined in, such as Tushar Dinesh Vartak, RAKBank's Chief Information Security Officer from the UAE.
"In today's fast-paced cybersecurity scene, leaders must match the jargon of the C-suite and grasp the nuances of business processes to implement forward-thinking, business-aligned security strategies," Vartak emphasized.
Dubai-based cybersecurity pro, Vikneswaran Rajagopalan, underscored the importance of attending the Moscow fest. "Our focus on Operational Technology has grown over the years. Our systems are protected, yet breaches persist. This fest offers fresh perspectives, modern roadmaps, and vital insights for improved security."
The PHD also shed light on AI-driven fraud and the need for regulatory reforms in concert with thriving business strategies.
Rajagopalan opined, "AI is the buzzword, and Positive Technologies effectively leverages it. It's crucial for us to adapt these advancements to build a more secure system."
Cybersecurity professionals worldwide descended upon the Luzhniki Stadium, driven by a common goal—a secure digital tomorrow. "The secret lies in creating a collaborative digital architecture where synergy becomes a strategic advantage," offered Yury Maksimov, co-founder of Cyberus.
- Variations in technology and cybersecurity are not only relevant in sports, but they are also crucial components in business strategies, as emphasized by Tushar Dinesh Vartak.
- The growing importance of AI in cybersecurity was a significant focus at the Positive Hack Days event, with many professionals, such as Vikneswaran Rajagopalan, advocating for integrating AI advancements into digital systems for enhanced security.
- The 2021 edition of Positive Hack Days, held at Luzhniki Stadium under the Moscow Sun, attracted not only local attendees but also cybersecurity experts from the globe, such as Ali Azzam from Egypt and regional leaders like RAKBank's Chief Information Security Officer, Tushar Dinesh Vartak.
- The environment created at the Positive Hack Days event, with knowledge exchange between government officials, cybersecurity experts, and ethical hackers from various continents, underscores the need for a united front in the battle against cyberattacks, as highlighted by cybersecurity professional Vikneswaran Rajagopalan.
