Leading global experts will be in Doha for a key summit where they will discuss the issues related to digital security and its impact on various economic sectors and also ways to curb digital crimes.

To be held under the patronage of the Qatari Minister of Information and Communications Technology Dr Hessa Al Jaber, The 'GCC Digital Security Forum' will run from February 4 to 5, said the event organisers Meeza and Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group.

According to them, the event aims to highlight the fact that digital crimes continue to be a growing global concern, as it  is estimated that as much as $1 trillion was lost globally last year as a result of cybercrimes (ITU Report).

The total global direct loss due to cybercrime reached $113 billion up from $110 billion and the average cost per victim of cybercrime increased this year to $298 up from $197 in 2012 (Norton Cybercrime Report 2013.

These numbers do not reflect the true damage done to brands, organizations, and entire markets, especially in the Middle East, a region that lacks accurate estimation of losses resulting from digital crimes.

The forum features key speakers, including ministers, experts from international organizations and regulatory entities and unions, leaders from the public and private sectors and digital security officials from vital sectors such as the infrastructure, telecommunications, and banking and financial markets, in addition to solutions and services providers in the field of digital security.

Overall, the event is expected to attract more than 400 participants from 15 countries, the organisers stated.

Dr Hessa Al-Jaber said: "Organizing such forums highlights the importance of the issue of digital security and its associated technological expansions, as the technological development of information systems and networks are accompanied by some negative phenomena, depicted in cyber crimes, which began to take multiple forms and shapes, and involve significant threats against individuals and institutions."  

"We need to spread constant awareness of all that's happening within the field of digital security and constantly explore means of defense and protection; and further develop digital security systems within institutions and companies, as well as legislation and related laws, she stated.

Meeza’s chairman Rashid Al Naimi said: "We enjoy a leading position at the level of digital security at an exceptional phase in the region and the world. Meeza has all the necessary capabilities to lead the maturing process in the area of digital security, not only on the technology front, but also from the perspective of future decisive policies and strategies to determine our ability to protect our economic sectors and make them stronger and more resilient."  

Meeza CEO Ghada El Rassi said the forum comes at a time when stakeholders from public institutions and companies are working to develop strategies not only aimed at protecting themselves against digital attacks, but with the objective of thwarting piracy acts, detecting their sources and taking appropriate actions to prevent them.

"It will discuss topics such as: the reality of digital security in the region and necessary policies and legislation for the regulation and protection of the digital sector. It will also address, with the participation of the most prominent international figures in this field, the reality and future prospects of digital protection strategies available, and the situation of economic sectors against the reality of digital threats, as well as the role of planning and security monitoring centers and the security aspect of data centers and cloud computing".

Faysal Abou Zaki, the deputy CEO of Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group, said the forum comes at a time when there is a massive increase in the importance of the internet and digital services in all aspects of daily life, as well as in the various facets of economic activities, where ICT plays a key role.

"Thus, the protection of these systems, networks and associated databases is a top priority among governments and institutions in the region and the world," he added.-TradeArabia News Service