The Security Middle East Conference 2023: Innovation in Riyadh

In Riyadh, on May 9th, C-Suite decision makers from across the world came together to discuss the most pressing topics prevalent within the Middle East Security Ecosystem at the Security Middle East Conference 2023.

Over 200 attendees gathered in the Crowne Plaza Riyadh Palace, from companies such as Aramco, Red Sea Global, the Diriyah Gate Authority, the National Security Services Company SAFE and more.

With over 20 countries represented on the day, attendees of the event took the opportunity not only to network with each other, but to explore pressing issues facing the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative, and the many potential rewards in store for companies who engage with the Saudi Arabia security market and the giga-projects within the region.

On The Day

At 9am, the Diriyah Hall was adorned with the finest regalia presented by the Crowne Plaza Riyadh Palace and Security Middle East Magazine, individuals from major industry stakeholders began arriving for an early networking session, heading through a hallway of stands and exhibitions set up by sponsors of the event.

Shortly after, the conference chairperson – Daniel Norman of the Information Security Forum (ISF) – introduced the first keynote of the day from Abdulrahman Alfadhel, the former manager of Saudi Aramco’s Riyadh refinery. Mr. Alfadhel documented his career and his many interactions with security services, which allows the growth of the refinery and generated large-scale sustainable income for Saudi Arabia as a country. Abdulrahman pointed out the importance of routine, access control and joint ventures as the country’s economy begins to shift.

Dan Norman thanked Mr. Alfadhel and introduced Luke Bencie of SMI Consulting. Luke is known in the region for his training programmes, who was joined by Rear Admiral Muneer Almehanna, Khalid Alghamdi – CEO of NOMD Security Solutions and Rakan Alsharekh, Chief Human Resources Officer of The National Security Services company (SAFE) to address the ‘talent gap’ within Saudi Arabia.

This discussion referred to the quick advancement of technology within the security industry, and that correct training and personnel management is required to help close this gap in Saudi Arabia, as well as around the world.

This session addressed the changing economy within Saudi Arabia and considered how education will create more paths for individuals to attain high-skill roles throughout the industry.

Following the talent gap panel, a short prayer and networking break began, allowing attendees, speakers and sponsors alike to congregate in the lavish hallway to build and nurture relationships, opening the way for potential future business.

“This approach and the concept of this conference allows us to meet end users. Listening to what are the pain points, what are the concerns of people using our products, whilst also having very interesting discussions with top decision makers in Saudi Arabia.” – Méliné Eolmezian-Soulie, Obvious Technologies

After the morning break, individuals returned to the second keynote speech of the day: “Is your physical security your biggest risk?” presented by Steven Kenny of Axis Communications.

“A seventeen-year-old hacked TalkTalk and caused damages of more than a hundred thousand dollars, simply because he was disgruntled with their service.”

Steven Kenny highlighted how anything connected to a network is a potential vulnerability. Stressing the importance of cybersecurity for all businesses – and how it will only become more important in the coming years.

Following questions from the audience and a handshake with Daniel Norman, Borhen Marzougui took to the stage to chair the second panel discussion of the day focused on Smart Cities.

The panel featured a larger cast of security experts: Craig Ross from the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, Dr Mohammad Alketbi – founder of Forceis Security, Dr Mohammed Aladalah, a widely renowned tech-security expert, Eng. Mohammed AlMajed, a product development director at TAHAKOM and finally Wissam Acra, the Middle East Sales Director from Genetec; all took to the stage and began discussing what a Smart City really is, and the challenges faced in these projects.

“It’s important to remember, a Smart City is not just digital, it’s the combination of the physical and the digital, everything is connected,” said Craig Ross.

Conclusions were drawn about the bridge between the aforementioned physical and digital, the type of technologies that will need to be invested in, and the many opportunities that will arise around Smart Cities in the coming years – again, a focus was placed on network security and access control.

Following this panel discussion, the room headed downstairs for a networking lunch. After some snacks at the buffet, individuals hopped between tables taking the opportunity to discuss and analyse the proceedings thus far.

The afternoon session started at 2:30pm with a speech from Salman Alghamdi of Aramco’s Industrial Security Operation. Who would discuss digital transformation in industrial security, which highlighted the importance of change management and morale in the workplace. Mr. Alghamdi focused on how routine and careful operation enable digital potential and the growth of a business.

Following a warm ovation from the audience, the final panel discussion of the day took place, our cybersecurity panel, brought to the Security Middle East Conference in association with Darktrace.

James Connolly, Regional Director EMEA from Darktrace, Dr Faisal AlFouzan, Assistant Professor in Cybersecurity & Networks, Khalid Saad Al Medbel, from the Ministry of Health and Ibrahim Al-Asaker, the Saudi Chapter Lead from the Cloud Security Alliance, all joined Dan Norman on stage to discuss the issues surrounding cybersecurity in Saudi Arabia.

The panel, titled “Resiliency in the age of digitisation,” discussed the rise of artificial intelligence as more than just a buzzword. Questions and answers poured in, recovery systems, the importance of detection and the security of the cloud were all explored in-depth across the course of the final hour of the day.

The Sponsors of the Event 

With the day winding down, a final networking break took place, again in the hallway that coiled around the Diriyah Hall, which was dotted with exhibition stands from the various sponsors of the Security Middle East Conference. First, our Cyber Partner Darktrace sat at the top of the stairs, with a quaint exhibition and marketing collateral for attendees of the conference to take away.

Following them, was Genetec, who had Martine Billman and Wissam Acra discussing the latest from Genetec with all those who were networking in the hallway.

After them, SMI Consulting – partnered with ICON, were out in the hallway with Luke Bencie discussing his new book and catching up with potential clients.

Opposite, Axis Communications displayed cameras with in-built Axis technology, versus those without, showing a stark different between the two. During networking, Steven Kenny spoke with attendees about his speech.

Obvious Technologies displayed OODA, the new 3D imaging software which unifies information required by security teams to keep them all on the same page, even whilst a situation is developing live.

At the end of the hallway, Eagle Eye Networks discussed their software, which unites security data onto one platform, usable by all manner of devices.

Roaming the hallway and keeping an eye on the event, our Security Partner, the National Security Services Company oversaw the smooth running of the conference, and ensured the safety and security of our attendees, sponsors and speakers.

2024 and Beyond

The Saudi Vision 2030 initiative is in full swing, the economy in Saudi Arabia is changing, technology is advancing, and the job market is shifting. As Giga-projects head towards completion, the eyes of the modern world are firmly on the Middle East.

We’d like to say thank you to our sponsors, advisory board and speakers, whose participation led to the Security Middle East Conference 2023 being such a successful event. Finally, we’d like to give a special thank you to the audience of our event, whose insights and discussion with speakers and panellists led to the event being as memorable as it was.

The Security Middle East team will be back in Saudi Arabia next year, for the Security Middle East Conference 2024, in which we will examine the progress toward the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative.

From all of us at Security Middle East, thank you.