The Corliss Group Latest Tech Review:

Mobile malware and operating system

vulnerabilities come under the spotlight at
GISEC 2014


9% of large organisations face security, hacking, phishing
scams and internet fraud in mobile devices
Industry experts to share insights helping businesses
defend from cyberattacks during security sessions and
workshops at Gulf Information Security Expo &
Conference

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: As the Middle East and
Africa region continue to experience a rapid growth in the
sales and penetration of smartphones, with a population
of more than 525.8 million using mobile devices in 20131, an increasing number of malware attacks also
pose a threat to millions of smartphone users. Tackling the importance of mobile security, the second
Gulf Information Security Expo & Conference (GISEC) 2014, taking place from 9 to 11 June at Dubai
World Trade Centre (DWTC), will discuss ways to secure the mobile environment against evolving
threats.
The unfettered growth in mobility created an alluring opportunity for cybercriminals with 9% of large
organisations experienced a security or data breach in smartphones or tablets, according to a 2013
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) survey. The widespread use of mobile devices resulted to various
cybercrimes such as hacking, phishing scams and internet fraud. Smartphones are usually attacked
through malwares, Trojan horse viruses and malicious software such as Loozon and FinFisher.

Among the GISEC Conference speakers is Nader Henein, Advance Security Solutions, Advisory Division
at Blackberry, who will talk about devising a fit-for-purpose bring-your-own-device (BYOD) security plan
that capitalises on the innovation and productivity of a mobile workforce. Also included in his
presentation are the introduction of more stringent authentication and access controls for critical
business apps and balancing the legal and electronic recovery implications of mobile devices with
governance and compliance.

Heinen will also tackle mobile malware tactics and recent advances in Android malware as well as
dissecting the anatomy of a mobile attack. According to Sophos Mobile Security Threat Report 2014, the
exponential growth in Android devices and the buoyant and largely unregulated Android app market
produced a sharp rise in malware targeting that platform. SophosLabs has seen over 650,000 individual
pieces of malware for Android, which has grown quickly in a short period of time due to the increasing
use of mobile devices.
"Security for mobile devices, applications and content is a paramount concern in a mobility
management strategy," said Ian Evans, Managing Director and Senior Vice President, AirWatch by
VMware EMEA. "Allowing corporate-owned or employee-owned devices to access corporate data


requires a strong enterprise security strategy to ensure the deployment is secure and corporate
information is protected."

Brian Lord, Managing Director, PGI Cyber, commented: "PGI (Protection Group International) recognises
that the growth of mobile device use is essential for commerce, governments and individuals. They
increase efficiency, drive down costs and afford maximum flexibility. As with all information and
communication media, they also come with their own security risks. PGI's solutions, whether advisory
or technical, all encompass the security risk posed by mobile devices - whether that is an individual
device or an integral part of an organisation's infrastructure - and afford protection without detracting
from the huge value such devices bring." he added.
During the two-day conference, leading information security experts headlined by Robert Bigman,
former Chief Information Security Officer at the CIA; Mikko Hypponen, Chief Research Officer at F-
Secure and Wim Remes, Chairman of the Board of Directors at (ISC)2 will discuss various topics on cyber
threats and cybersecurity.

Bigman's keynote address of Day 1 of the GISEC Conference will shed light on the vulnerability of
Heartbleed, especially clear prevention methods the audience can use to protect their internal
corporate networks under the theme 'Change the way you connect to the internet'. Hypponen - the man
who tracked down the authors of the first PC virus ever recorded - will deliver his keynote address on
Day 2 of the GISEC Conference and will discuss critical information security issues to empower one with
superior protection. Remes will focus on strategies to map out existing infrastructures to adequately
protect them against realistic threats among several others.

Meanwhile, GISEC will also hold free-to-attend security sessions on vendor-run educational
presentations, workshops, demonstrations, informative speeches and case-studies giving I.T.
professionals useful insights to help defend their businesses from cyberattacks. Based on the Official
CISSP CBK Review Seminar, (ISC)2 will offer an education programme focusing on two of the most
challenging domains of the CISSP CBK: Information Security Governance and Risk Management; and
Access Control delivered by an Authorised (ISC)2 Instructor. All attendees will receive CISSP certificate.

As the region's only large-scale information security platform, GISEC will gather industry, government
and thought leaders as well as international and regional cybersecurity experts in various business
verticals such as I.T., oil & gas, banking & finance, government, legal, healthcare and telecoms to meet
the growing requirements for information security and countermeasures in the region.

The must-attend event is set to draw 3,000 trade visitors from 51 countries and more than 100
exhibitors from the world's leading information security companies and brands. 91% of last year's
attendees were purchasing decision makers from a wide range of industries.

Among the key sponsors of the exhibition are BT Global as Strategic Sponsor; GBM as Diamond Sponsor;
Spire Solutions and Protection Group International as Platinum Sponsors; Access Data, Websense
International, Fire Eye and F5 Networks as Gold Sponsors; Research in Motion (Blackberry), CSC
Computer Sciences, Guidance Software and Palo Alto Networks as Silver Sponsors. Meanwhile,
Palladium is the sponsor for the IT Security Awards.

Powered by GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK, the region's leading Information and Communications
Technology (ICT) event, GISEC is strictly a trade-only event and is open to business and trade visitors


from within the industry only. GISEC is open 10am-6pm from 9-11 June. Visitor attendance is free of
charge. For more information, please visit www.gisec.ae.