The amount of spending on the regional network security for the GCC-wide sector is set to grow from $340 million to $1 billion by 2018, according to a Frost & Sullivan report.

The upcoming inaugural Future Technology Week at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) is part of its new umbrella identity which comprises Gulf Information Security Expo & Conference (Gisec), the Internet of Things Expo (IoTX), The Big Data Show and Gulf Enterprise Mobility Exhibition & Conference (Gemec), said a statement.

The consolidated platform arrives as Internet of Things (IoT) and Internet of Everything (IoE) technologies spur rapid regional growth in the adoption of secure connectivity, enterprise mobility and big data services, it said.

The event will kick off tomorrow (March 29) and will run until March 31, in Dubai, UAE.

As the GCC moves towards a new era of cyber security readiness and IoT savviness, Future Technology Week will provide a cluster programme for an anticipated 10,000 public and private sector Information Communications Technology (ICT) professionals – comprising providers, vendors and buyers - to converge and explore software, hardware and infrastructure investments opportunities, added the statement.

Spread over three-days, Future Technology Week includes a series of ground-breaking technology exhibitions, game-changing plenary talks and innovation-centric workshops and entrepreneurial competitions featuring ready-to-market inventions that will disrupt the future of how civilians and organisations live, work and connect, it said.

Trixie LohMirmand, senior vice president, exhibitions and events, DWTC, said: “Technology is thriving and the relentless progress is changing our daily habits, lifestyle patterns and business functions – a world of possibilities is available to us faster and easier than ever before.”

“In this climate, the question of how safe, secure and reliable our technologies are is paramount. The event collects four of the region’s leading specialised shows to create a compelling umbrella concept where global ICT leaders can converge  and experience, discuss and dissect the industry’s top trends, issues and solutions.”

In addition to its core exhibitions and conferences, the event will host free-to-attend training sessions for Certified Information Systems Security Professionals (CISSP) delivered by (ISC)2 CBK accredited instructors. Covering multiple verticals, the sessions - dubbed ‘Future Tech Market Labs’ – will allow visitors to upgrade their technical knowledge on various topics including interconnected and behaviour analytics, the impact of IoT, mobility for leading enterprises and insights into global cyber threats.

Faisal Al Bannai, chief executive officer of DarkMatter, the cyber security innovation partner for Gisec, said: “Cybersecurity now stands at the centre of further progress of the modern, electronic-based global economy. Pro-activity and a holistic approach to cybersecurity has never been more important and we're looking forward to holding discussions around this critical subject during Future Technology Week."

Tommi Raitio, regional director of IoT, Intel, said: “IoT is fuelling innovation in nearly every part of our lives. Simply connecting things that were unconnected previously is leading to new data insights that translate into meaningful change for business and governments.” – TradeArabia News Service