Etisalat Academy inaugurates Middle East Information Technology Conference (MEITSEC 2004)

Speaking on behalf Dr. Kharbash, Obaid bin Mes'har, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat said: 'This annual event is an important gathering for IT security professionals from all over the region. Such crucial subject has imposed itself on the society as we step into a new era where the information technology dominates all business sectors as well as various aspects of life.'

He added the this subject is affecting the data bank and systems, networks, applications and daily operations which in turn implies securing its measures against the negative effects and destructive influence of intrusion, threatening major corporations and organizations and challenging the IT value-added itself.

This year, more aggressive threats have emerged targeting information contents including historical, cultural, translations and literatures websites and on-line exams, as well as scientific references and the endeavored e-Government applications. The majority targeted sales process representing 80% followed by 70% of the Financial Sector and 15% in the network servicing and 7% of other services.

'As part of its leading role, and being the major telecom corporation in the Middle East, Emirates Telecommunication Corporation - represented by the Etisalat Academy - is committed to arrange this unique event periodically, in coordination with the leading manufacturers, solution providers, world-class producers and industry giants from the United States, the European Union and Far East like (ISC)2, MIS, ISI, ISS, Symantec and Cisco, particularly at this stage where the current IT threats evolve in this region,' Bin Mes'har noted.

Dr. Doaa Fares, General Manager , Etisalat Academy said: 'The Middle East Information Technology Security Conference (MEITSEC) has become a landmark for the Etisalat Academy and its prestigious IT security partners year after year, with a remarkably growing participation from the GCC countries and Middle East, as well as both public and private sectors of the UAE.'

He added that the event is considered an ideal opportunity for IT security experts and professionals to meet in one place and discuss the latest developments in the field of IT security and related issues.

Distinguished keynote speakers presented speeches during the inaugural conference. Richard Clarke, Executive Member at the National Security Council and IT Consultant for the White House, spoke about the Realities of Securing Information Across Government or Business. Javier Colado, Vice President of McAfee - Middle East, Northern and Southern Europe spoke about the Evolution of IT Security from 20th to 21st Century and Professor Suzan Brenner from University of Dayton School of Law spoke about Cybercrime: Challenges for law and law enforcement.

The conference will be looking to produce solutions in areas such as Management and Legislative Forensics, Infrastructure and System Integrity, E-commerce and E-Government Security, and Mobile and Wireless IP Security.

Having the FBI and Scotland Yard here will add a different dimension to the discussion and give a wider context to the conference.

It should be highlighted that this year, MEITSEC 2004 is hosting 30 international speakers, and is expected to be attended by not less than 500 delegates from all over the world. Besides, the conference will feature a group of unprecedented sessions and activities, similar to the Virtual Hacking court which created a wide echo last year among the business community, law community, legislative framework and IT Security executives.

During MEITSEC 2004, the latest technologies in tackling IT incidents will be addressed for the first time. A special session will be dedicated to a virtual competition between two groups, the white hat and black hat.

Two-day workshops will be organized after the conference on December 15 and 16. These include sessions on 'Application Security' by Dr. Bruce Sams from OPTIMA BIT; 'Web Services Security'; 'Effective Patch and Asset Management'; as well as a workshop session by Cisco on 'Development of the Self-Defending Network.'