UAE's IT security services sector to reach AED1.7bn in 2018

IT security services sector in U.A.E. is expected to reach AED1.7 billion (USD473 million) in 2018 with an expected growth rate of 17%, as the country's expenditure on security has become high and a priority across all verticals with advanced physical security solutions in place for most of its critical infrastructure, according to organisers of the second Gulf Information Security Expo and Conference (GISEC) who cited the findings of a Frost & Sullivan report revealed during the event.
The organisers of GISEC (9 -11 June at Dubai World Trade Centre, DWTC), say the increasing importance of security has become a core consideration for both commercial and government organisations with Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) regions steadily adopting various security technologies, including the outsourcing security to Managed Security Service Providers (MSSP).
"As GISEC 2014 Conference Knowledge Partner, Frost & Sullivan found that the complexities of securing an organisation's network and infrastructure against targeted attacks, along with the need to reduce capital expenditures and to comply with relevant industry standards have been a major growth driver for Managed Security Services (MSS). The government, along with organisations in the Emirates, particularly in the banking, finance and commercial sectors, will drive the spending in the physical security services segment and are also open to outsourcing MSSP for provision for security," Frost & Sullivan's report stated.
Trixie Loh Mirmand, Senior Vice President of DWTC, organisers of the event, said "The event served as a perfect platform in bringing together the brightest minds in the field of information security and in drawing strategic tactics in ensuring the sustainability and safety of the region's I.T. infrastructure." The three-day event was marked by the convergence of leading information security experts from around the world, headlined by Robert Bigman, former Chief Information Security Officer at the CIA, and Mikko Hypponen, Chief Research Officer at F-Secure, who shared their insights on combating cyber security and threat.
Bigman revealed during his presentation that in order for a company to have a strong information security arm, it should have a centralised management with strong program and data governance controls. He also recommended that the best solution to thwart sophisticated hackers and cyber threats include system encryption, white-listing of approved applications, cyber intelligence and sharing big data analytics.
With the rise of online attacks on end-users, Hypponen suggested "some steps that home and business users can do to counter online criminality. Among the steps were constantly doing backups, system updates, and a dependable security software and firewall installed in all devices."