Events
IDC to Explore the Future of Saudi Arabia’s Digital Economy at CIO Summit in Riyadh

Spurred by a growing influx of foreign direct investment and a $7 trillion development plan for the Kingdom’s giga projects, ICT spending in Saudi Arabia is poised to top $34.5 billion this year. That’s according to the latest forecast from International Data Corporation (IDC), with spending on software (including cloud) and IT services set to increase at compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) of 11.4% and 8.7%, respectively, over the 2022–2026 period.
The government sector will be the country’s biggest IT spender in 2023, with spending on AI, IoT, cybersecurity, and big data analytics alone set to exceed $574 million as innovative technologies become foundational to the aim of building an ‘Experience Economy’. Finance, communications, energy and resources, and manufacturing will be the Kingdom’s other top spenders in 2023, although the fastest growth over the next five years will be seen in the healthcare, finance, retail/wholesale, professional services, and education sectors.
“To harness the full potential and widespread benefits of the digital economy, governments and businesses must implement strategies to measure and cultivate it,” says Jyoti Lalchandani, IDC’s group vice president and regional managing director for the Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa. “Creating regulatory environments and nurturing talent will be critical to success. Today, technology plays an ever-increasing role in enabling, measuring, and reporting on sustainability initiatives and diversity and inclusion drives, with government and business leaders prioritizing these issues on their digital agendas.”
Such issues will sit at the heart of the agenda during this year’s IDC Saudi Arabia CIO Summit, which will take place at the Fairmont Riyadh on September 13-14. Addressing the theme ‘Enabling the Digital Economy’s Leaders’, the event will bring together the Kingdom’s foremost IT and telecom leaders, digital government pioneers, regulators, and industry thought leaders. Expert speakers will assess the current state of the digital economy, evaluate its ongoing impact on citizens, customers, employees, and operations, address key challenges, and outline proven best practices and strategies to drive future success.
IDC’s chief research officer, Meredith Whalen, will open the day’s proceedings with a keynote titled ‘Strategies for the CIO and Enterprise Innovation’, during which she will highlight IDC’s latest research findings on building a culture of trust, examine the move toward industry ecosystem innovation, and highlight the impact of tech decentralization.
“CIOs are no longer just technology leaders,” says Whalen. “They are strategic partners who have a critical role to play in driving enterprise-wide growth and it is important that they fully understand what needs to be done now — and in the future — to create an environment for long-term sustainable innovation. The IDC Saudi Arabia CIO Summit is the perfect place for CIOs to learn from their peers, network with industry leaders, and get the insights they need to succeed in the digital age.”
The agenda will also feature a series of dedicated CIO-led panel sessions and technology focus groups addressing topics such as:
- Talent Development and the Demand for New Skills: Optimal Team Structuring
- Sustainable Strategies and Technologies: Operationalization, Impact Measurement, Business Value Creation
- Vendor Selection and Management: Best Practices and Considerations
- Cyber Protection for the Threats of Today and Tomorrow: Dynamic Security Strategies to Minimize Risk
- Connecting the Distributed Cloud: From Edge to Core
- Enabling the Data-Driven Enterprise
- Transitioning Through AI and Analytics: How to Win in the Intelligent Economy
Black Hat MEA
Spire Solutions to Exhibit at Blackhat MEA 2023

Spire Solutions is participating at Black Hat MEA from 14th to 16th November 2023, at the Riyadh Front Exhibition Centre. Spire Solutions is joining as a strategic partner at Blackhat from the cybersecurity space. The company will be present at booth H3.G30 along with globally acclaimed technology partners to lead the discussions around cybersecurity and data and support Saudi Arabia’s objective to achieve a secure digital future.
Under the theme “Empowering your Cyber Defence with Data and AI”, Spire Solutions will drive regional objectives and will showcase some of the most powerful and influential solutions such:
- Cloud Services by Spire Solutions, in collaboration with Microsoft
- Gurucul – ML/AI Powered Security Analytics platform
- SolarWinds – Secure IT Monitoring and Observability platform
- CyberArk – Privileged Access Management, Identity Access Management & DevSecOps solutions
- ForgeRock – Digital Identity for Consumer, Workplace and Things
- Corelight – Successful Threat Hunting with Network Detection and Response platform
- SailPoint – Data Access and AI-Driven Identity Security for enterprises
- Spire Data – Data & AI solutions
- Conceal – AI-Powered Secure Browser Extension
The threat landscape across the Middle East and Africa region is constantly evolving. The advent of generative AI models and the proliferation of cloud infrastructure have added complexity to the security landscape. Spire Solutions recognizes the imperative nature of cybersecurity in this context and remains dedicated to assisting organizations across various sectors in bolstering their defences. Along with its existing band of leading technologies, Spire Solutions is set to take the lead in showcasing new technologies and solutions around SIEM solutions, Cloud Services, API Security, and digital identity security.
Sanjeev Walia, Founder and President of Spire Solutions said, “We will be bringing the best of technologies to support, collaborate, and work closely with relevant government and private entities in Saudi Arabia. With a focus on Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is undergoing an enormous business shift. Inspired by the National Transformation Program, we are witnessing a huge transition in the way businesses are functioning, that is, moving from traditional business models to a digital approach, which is propelling innovation and leading the way for improved business growth. With such developments, events like Blackhat serve as a strong platform to address the current and emerging challenges and connect the industry together. Through our strategic partnership with Black Hat, we will emphasize proactively securing digital assets and working together with our partners and customers to enhance the regional cybersecurity landscape.”
As part of the thought leadership session, Spire Solution’s line-up of speakers Gene Yoo, CEO at Resecurity will lead a session on Modern Threat Intelligence; Nilesh Dherange, CTO at Gurucul will present on Leveraging Machine Learning & AI for Attack Detection Scenarios; Prasanth Prasad, Director of Technology at Spire Solutions is part of an eminent Panel session on the topic Understanding The Expanding Influence of Cybersecurity Across The Enterprise & Business Functions; Basil Shahin, Regional Sales Director at Corelight will lead a critical discussion on Leveraging the Evidence Bank, Security’s Most Valuable Asset; Rami Qassem, Regional Sales Lead at SolarWinds will share practical tips on Observability and Secure Digital Transformation; Tausif Sayyed, Director – Big Data and Data Analytics at Spire Data will share important insights on the topic Generative AI Unleashed; Muhammad Rehan, Business Unit Head at Spire Solutions will take up an important session on Security in Software Development Life Cycle; Andrew Potter, Solution Architect at ForgeRock will lead a session on the topic Passwordless; Umer Aziz, Sr. Solution Architect at SailPoint will deliver a session on the topic Building a Successful Identity Program, and Mohamed Nabil from CyberArk will share his perspective on The Anatomy of the MGM Hack.
Spire Solutions will be exhibiting at Stand No H3.G30, Riyadh Front Exhibition Centre.
Black Hat MEA
AmiViz to Show Off the Latest Advancements in Cybersecurity at Black Hat 2023 in Riyadh

AmiViz, the pioneering enterprise B2B cybersecurity marketplace in the Middle East region, is excited to announce its participation in Black Hat Riyadh 2023, the most prominent cybersecurity event in Saudi Arabia to be held at Riyadh Front Exhibition & Convention Center on November 14-16. This pivotal event will serve as an ideal platform to showcase our cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions and services.
Black Hat Riyadh 2023, known for attracting global cybersecurity professionals, will provide a great opportunity for AmiViz to engage with industry experts, potential partners, and clients. This event will highlight new advancements in the cybersecurity landscape, offering a catalyst for proactive discussions and robust collaborations.
“We are thrilled to be part of Black Hat Riyadh 2023. It is a highly anticipated event that allows us to highlight our innovative cybersecurity solutions on an international platform,” states Ilyas Mohammed, COO of AmiViz. “Participating in such a renowned event underscores our commitment to the cybersecurity industry and empowers us to assist more businesses in protecting their digital assets.”
“With cybersecurity threats on the rise, AmiViz is committed to providing reliable, cutting-edge cybersecurity services. Our participation in Black Hat Riyadh 2023 underlines our dedication to keeping abreast of the latest technology and trends in cybersecurity. It also allows us to share our understanding and expert insights with a larger audience,” he said.
As a leading cybersecurity marketplace, AmiViz has an extensive portfolio of cybersecurity solutions. These include threat intelligence, security assessments, penetration testing, and incident response solutions from our vendors AlgoSec, BlackBerry, Cequence Security, Check Point, Menlo Security, Swimlane, ZINAD IT, Darktrace and ESET.
“We cater to a wide range of industries, providing customized solutions that fit each client’s unique needs and requirements,” Ilyas said. Our participation at Black Hat Riyadh 2023 is a testament to our commitment to cybersecurity. We look forward to showcasing our state-of-the-art services, engaging with leading experts, and contributing to raising the bar for cybersecurity standards worldwide.”
For more information about AmiViz and our presence at Black Hat Riyadh 2023, please visit our booth in Hall 3, Stand D50 at Riyadh Front Exhibition & Convention Center from 14-16 November 2023.
Events
ITQAN and Cyber50 Defense Announce Strategic Partnership at GESS Dubai

UAE’s ITQAN, a leading Systems Integrator and a subsidiary of the Yas Holding group has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with innovative cybersecurity services firm Cyber50 Defense to create a fortified and secure digital environment for all users. Announced at the Global Education Supplies and Solutions (GESS) Dubai conference and exhibition, the partnership marks a significant milestone in the cybersecurity and IT landscape.
Ali Jaber Al Yafei, CEO of United Technology Holding, the parent company of ITQAN Al Khaleej, commented, “This alliance underscores ITQAN’s ongoing dedication to progressive adaptation in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. With Cyber50 Defense by our side, we are poised to offer unmatched solutions, strengthening the digital security and success of our clientele.”
Abdullah Al Seiari, CEO of Cyber50 Defense, added, “This collaboration with ITQAN, a name held in high esteem in the industry, amplifies our shared mission. Together, we aim to deliver an enhanced suite of services, benefiting not only our organizations but, more importantly, our valued clients.”
The recently held MoU signing at the GESS exhibition highlights the pivotal role of education and technology in sculpting a future-ready landscape.
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