This Data Privacy Day brings with it the sense of being at a crucial crossroads, particularly since generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) invaded our daily life.

At the heart of data privacy is security, they are intertwined – you can’t have privacy without safeguarding it.

Data is the lifeblood that decisions are made on – it fuels innovation in the cloud, but the volume and complexity in hybrid and multi-cloud environments make it difficult to secure. Siloed data security solutions produce many critical alerts, but how do security teams know if those risks should take priority over other exposures like an over-privileged virtual machine or a workload with a severe CVE? If everything is “critical”, nothing is, and security teams are left guessing where they should direct their remediation efforts.

Protecting data in public cloud environments starts with answering three seemingly simple security questions:

• What type of data do I have in the cloud? How is it classified? Is it sensitive?
• Where is my sensitive data in the cloud? Who has access?
• What are the risks to my cloud data?

AI muddying the waters

With data at the heart of everything, it would be amiss not to mention the potential disruption AI is driving an ever-increasing volume and variety of data stored in the cloud, adding another layer of risk.

As AI applications become more sophisticated, they require more data to learn and function effectively. For organisations, controlling AI deployment usage while also identifying vulnerabilities within AI tools and AI development packages, this is yet another headache for the security team to worry about.

Together, this creates a virtuous cycle — the more data stored and used the greater the range of AI use cases, which attracts even more users. But with each new user, data type and storage solution, the cloud attack surface expands.

In addition, threat actors are starting to harness AI to write malware for ransomware attacks. Discovered by CheckPoint, FunkSec is one such group that is believed to use AI-assisted malware development. The danger is that this could see inexperienced actors able to spin up and refine tools quickly to launch attacks.

With ransomware, we’ve seen malicious actors get increasingly aggressive with their threats. Ten years ago a ransomware attack was really obvious. Today these attacks are less obvious and can go undetected for a few weeks as threat actors look to obfuscate their presence as they creep around and steal data.

Once they’ve extracted the information it’s out of your control. With some governments looking to ban ransomware payments, it could mean that they lay incendiaries, threatening to destroy the data which could leave an organisation unable to function.

Data risks: When things go wrong

While there are many cloud exposures to manage, data risks aren’t something to ignore. Whether it’s a breach of customer information, financial records, or intellectual property, unauthorised access to data can have severe regulatory and reputational consequences. It can lead to mistrust and brand damage externally, while internally there is increased scrutiny from the board who are questioning the organisation’s security posture. If there’s not, there should be!

The cloud’s unique challenges and opportunities for data and AI make it crucial for organisations to address the full spectrum of security responsibilities that accompany collecting, storing and using data. These responsibilities include automatically and continuously scanning data assets, discovering and monitoring sensitive data and alerting on any potential risk.

Data security posture management (DSPM) is a set of ongoing processes and technologies that provides visibility into where sensitive data is stored, who has access to it, and how it’s being used across an organisation’s systems, providing analysis of the overall security posture around data itself, rather than just the infrastructure hosting it.

Cloud native application protection platform (CNAPP) solutions replace a patchwork of siloed products that often cause more problems than they solve, such as multiple false positives and excessive alerts. Those individual products usually provide only partial coverage and often create overhead and friction with the products they’re supposed to work with.

Most importantly, CNAPPs allow businesses to monitor the health of cloud native applications as a whole rather than individually monitoring cloud infrastructure and application security.

When DSPM is integrated into CNAPP it empowers the security team to obtain actionable data context that better prioritises risks and reduces the organisation’s exposure to customer data breaches and the compromise of AI resources and intellectual property.

This Data Privacy Day, every organisation must take action to protect the data it relies upon to function and that it’s trusted to protect, wherever it resides.

Security teams need a comprehensive view of their cloud data and the risks associated with it, allowing them to know where they’re exposed and take action to close those critical risks.”

The writer is the VP, Middle East & North Africa at Tenable.

Read: How governments can deal with data sovereignty

Charging an electric vehicle (EV) on the go in Saudi Arabia is poised to become easier, thanks to a landmark partnership announced this week.

The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company (EVIQ) — a joint venture between the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) — has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility, the local representative of Chinese EV powerhouse BYD.

The collaboration aims to accelerate EV adoption in Saudi Arabia by integrating EVIQ’s expertise in fast-charging infrastructure with BYD’s expanding customer base.

In 2024, BYD sold 4.27 million new energy vehicles (NEVs) across the globe, surpassing Tesla to become the world’s largest EV carmaker.

Regionally, BYD is also gaining traction, with over 1,000 of its vehicles sold in the UAE last year, according to Hasan Nergiz, managing director of Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility Company.

This new partnership in Saudi Arabia is expected to further BYD’s foothold in the Kingdom. Plans include deploying high-speed public charging stations at BYD Al-Futtaim locations nationwide, along with tailored charging packages for BYD owners.

The agreement aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to ensure 30 per cent of vehicles on Riyadh’s roads are electric by the end of the decade.

“Our partnership with BYD Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility marks a significant milestone in transforming Saudi Arabia’s transportation landscape,” said Mohammad Gazzaz, CEO of EVIQ.

“By combining our expertise in fast-charging infrastructure with BYD’s electric mobility innovations, we aim to deliver an unparalleled EV charging experience, contributing to the Kingdom’s sustainability goals and Vision 2030 agenda.”

A recent PwC emobility outlook report highlights that Saudi Arabia has committed $39bn to building an EV ecosystem, including $18bn for EV manufacturing, $9bn for batteries, and $12bn for semiconductors. These investments are projected to attract $150m in foreign direct investment, add $8bn to GDP by 2034, and create over 30,000 jobs.

EVIQ is at the forefront of this transition, with plans to install more than 5,000 chargers across the Kingdom by 2030. Its Riyadh-based R&D facility, the first of its kind in the region, will play a key role in testing and refining technologies for the local market.

Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility, part of the Al-Futtaim Group, is optimistic about the partnership’s potential.

“Strategic collaborations like this are key to shaping a greener, more sustainable future for Saudi Arabia,” said Badr Khojandi, general manager of BYD KSA.

“Together, we aim to empower EV adoption with accessible, efficient, and high-quality charging solutions across the Kingdom.”

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) remains a significant player in global trade, despite experiencing a decline in trade volume in 2023, according to the latest Foreign Trade Report issued by the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-Stat).

The GCC ranked sixth globally in the volume of trade in goods, accounting for 3.4 per cent of the world’s total trade in goods. However, the region’s overall trade volume dropped by 4.0 per cent to $1.5 trillion in 2023, down from the previous year.

In terms of merchandise trade balance, the GCC secured the third position globally, with a value of $163.7 bn in 2023. This marks a significant decrease of 57.1 per cent compared to the $381.3 bn recorded in 2022.

The report also highlighted the region’s performance in commodity exports, with the GCC ranking fifth worldwide. The region contributed 3.1 per cent to global commodity exports, valued at $0.8tn in 2023, reflecting a 14.5 per cent decline compared to 2022.

On the import side, the GCC ranked ninth globally, accounting for 2.7 per cent of total global merchandise imports, valued at $0.7tn in 2023. This represents a 13.4 per cent increase over the previous year.

A detailed analysis showed that the GCC’s trade in goods, excluding intra-regional trade, declined by 4 per cent to $1,482.4bn in 2023, from the same amount in 2022.

Commodity exports saw a significant drop, falling from $962.6bn in 2022 to $823.1bn in 2023, a decrease of $139.5bn. Conversely, commodity imports grew by 13.4 per cent, rising to $659.3bn in 2023, up from $581.3bn the year prior.

Oil exports, a major driver of GCC trade, fell by 20.5 per cent in 2023, totalling $525.5bn, compared to $661.1bn in 2022.

GCC countries’ key trading partners

In terms of trading partners, China remained the GCC’s top trading partner, leading in both the commodity trade volume and commodity exports indices.

The GCC’s commodity trade with China totaled $297.9bn in 2023, well ahead of India, the second-largest partner at $150.4bn, marking a $147.6bn gap.

China was also the largest importer of Gulf commodities, purchasing 19.2 per cent of total GCC exports, valued at $158.3 bn, though this was a decrease of 16.8 per cent compared to $190.4bn in 2022.

On the import side, China ranked first among the GCC’s main trading partners, accounting for 21.2 per cent of the region’s total merchandise imports. The value of imports from China grew by 10.8 per cent to $139.6bn, up from $126bn in 2022.

While the overall figures reflect a slight slowdown in the GCC’s trade activities in 2023, the region’s position within global trade remains robust, with China continuing to be a dominant partner in both exports and imports.

Meraas, a subsidiary of Dubai Holding Real Estate, has taken a significant step towards transforming Dubai’s waterfront landscape with a key construction contract worth over Dhs1bn.

Awarded to the China State Construction Engineering Corporation (Middle East), the deal will bring the highly anticipated Bluewaters Bay project to life, with completion slated for Q4 2027.

Bluewaters Bay, designed to be a standout residential destination, will feature two luxurious residential towers connected by a dynamic podium.

Highlights of Bluewaters Bay

The development will offer 678 apartments, with one to four-bedroom options, including penthouses. In addition to the residential spaces, Bluewaters Bay will host a variety of retail and food and beverage outlets on the podium level, promising a vibrant lifestyle offering.

Key amenities will include a landscaped promenade, an outdoor pool, a children’s play area, and BBQ facilities — ideal for residents seeking a sophisticated yet relaxed living environment.

Khalid Al Malik, CEO of Dubai Holding Real Estate, emphasised the strategic importance of the project in shaping Dubai’s waterfront future. “Bluewaters Bay is nestled in a prime location within one of Dubai’s most sought-after waterfront destinations. Positioned at the gateway to Bluewaters, residents will enjoy unparalleled access to world-class entertainment such as Ain Dubai, pristine beaches, and a curated selection of retail and dining experiences,” he said.

Al Malik went on to highlight the project’s reflection of Dubai Holding’s commitment to crafting exceptional waterfront communities that elevate the city’s dynamic urban fabric. “We are confident that China State Construction Engineering Corporation’s expertise will bring this vision to life, creating a destination that residents and visitors will cherish.”

For their part, Tian Sanchuan, president of China State Construction Engineering Corporation (Middle East), expressed pride in the partnership. “We are proud to collaborate with Dubai Holding Real Estate on the construction of Meraas’ prestigious Bluewaters Bay project,” he said.

“This partnership underscores our dedication to delivering world-class developments with precision and innovation. We look forward to leveraging our expertise to deliver this visionary destination and set new standards for quality and excellence,” he said.

Prime location

Bluewaters Bay’s integration with Dubai’s vibrant waterfront is poised to further extend the appeal of both Marina Walk and the Bluewaters boardwalk. The development is designed to offer residents not just a home, but a lifestyle, with sophisticated dining venues, exciting retail outlets, and abundant outdoor spaces.

The project’s prime location within walking distance of Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) and just a short drive from Al Maktoum International Airport further enhances its appeal.

Access is streamlined with two main vehicle entry points, including a convenient bridge ramp from the Bluewaters bridge to Podium 3.

Read: Meraas awards Dhs850m construction contract for Bvlgari Lighthouse

What role do niche segments play in Abu Dhabi’s broader strategy for economic and cultural development?

Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau is (ADCEB) part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. Its strategic roadmap for growth and contribution to the Tourism Strategy 2030 focuses on targeting source markets over niche segments. Our scope covers the US, UK, China and India, among others, to continue promoting our emirate as a convenient and attractive destination for business events.

As geopolitical and macroeconomic factors evolve in the global arena, it is essential that we proactively diversify and expand our source markets to remain resilient and competitive. As part of that strategy, we opened our first office in Seoul, South Korea, in January 2023 and expanded our footprint in existing source markets like China and India to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

Our focus on source markets significantly enables Abu Dhabi’s tourism ambitions, underscoring its compelling visitor propositions and strategic location. It is equally crucial in positioning our emirate’s soft power in the global economy. ADCEB’s approach promotes economic and cultural exchanges with our target source markets, exploring strategic opportunities to collaborate with relevant stakeholders and identity partnerships that add value to our operations and services locally, regionally and globally.

How do events like the Abu Dhabi Wedding Show and ICCA Congress align with the emirate’s goals of promoting a sustainable and prosperous future?

The Tourism Strategy 2030 focuses on four strategic pillars, including doubling Abu Dhabi’s Promotion and Marketing efforts and enhancing visitor experiences and business operations. The Abu Dhabi Wedding Show and ICCA Congress contribute by amplifying Abu Dhabi’s distinctive culture and value proposition to target audiences and promoting the processes, platforms and operations that ensure convenience and ease.

The Abu Dhabi Wedding Show was the first B2B event for the niche destination weddings segment in the GCC. It was as much an effort to identify business development opportunities as it was to nurture further growth and advancement in Abu Dhabi’s wedding events ecosystem by expanding the sector’s capabilities through education and collaborations. Similarly, the ICCA Congress had two-fold benefits. For one, it allowed us to directly promote the emirate to the global meetings and events industry, bringing their attention to Abu Dhabi’s diverse offerings and ADCEB’s support and incentives for event organisers.

Furthermore, it allowed us to work with local stakeholders to develop their know-how and processes to better support clients in organising carbon-neutral events. For example, we worked with Ne’ma, the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, to divert food waste from landfills. We aim to make it a default set-up for all future events to embed greater sustainability into our platform.

Why has Abu Dhabi chosen to focus on niche segments rather than more mainstream business and cultural sectors?

Our focus on source markets, such as the US, China, India and the UK, complements Abu Dhabi’s overarching tourism strategy by providing access to dynamic and inclusive target sectors and audiences. This approach enables ADCEB to navigate the dynamic geopolitical and macroeconomic environment with more agility, broadening our reach and impact by engaging strategic markets and opportunities while reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s soft power.

These specialised platforms and experiences facilitate unique cultural and business exchanges that may otherwise be overlooked. It allows us to attract distinct visitor segments and strengthen Abu Dhabi as a destination for all diverse business events.

Can you share more about Abu Dhabi’s long-term vision for its role as a leader in hosting high-profile niche market events?

Our primary mission is to champion Abu Dhabi as a global business events leader. Since 2013, we have been at the forefront of developing and promoting business events, providing solutions, efficiency and an agile approach that addresses the needs of our various stakeholders.

We have seen firsthand how paramount business events are in catalysing trade and commerce, not only in advancing the tourism sector’s contributions to the GDP but also in facilitating growth in diverse economic segments by attracting international experts, businesses and decision-makers to engage local and regional stakeholders.

We aim to continue building bridges that power widespread economic growth and collaborations, encourage knowledge transfer, and position the city’s thought leaders before their global peers, whether in healthcare, life sciences, financial services or energy sectors. That’s why we will continue partnering with champions of vital economic sectors to attract relevant business events and help the local industries meet their strategic objectives.

In what ways do events such as the Abu Dhabi Wedding Show and ICCA Congress enrich the local cultural landscape?

The Abu Dhabi Wedding Show and ICCA Congress bring valuable insights, stakeholders and awareness to the emirate’s niche segments, which, in parallel, help innovate and expand the local ecosystem and infrastructure to meet demand. That can include investing in new venues and infrastructure to cater to larger audiences and appetites or injecting more creativity and novel concepts into space design that enhance customer experiences.

This inevitably filters into the local cultural landscape, impacting and innovating local business operations and offerings. It serves as a highway of cultural exchange, through which we also introduce our local heritage to the global stage.

We always encourage organisers to work with local Emirati artisans, performers and creatives to incorporate our culture into events, enhancing the experience of delegates with authentic encounters and preserving our local identity.

How do niche segments support Abu Dhabi’s efforts to preserve its cultural heritage while embracing innovation and global trends?

ADCEB aims to create a highway of cultural exchange that welcomes global trends and insights that enrich and innovate Abu Dhabi’s diverse business event segments while sharing our emirate’s rich heritage with international audiences. Abu Dhabi is a multicultural melting pot home to people all over the world. Foreign influences and perspectives already define our landscape of creativity and entrepreneurship, making us attractive to diverse audiences. Yet, we retain a distinctly Emirati identity at heart.

We often inject our traditions and heritage where we can, such as by encouraging organisers to work with Emirati performers, artisans and creatives to bring a local touch into their events. It enhances the visiting experience of international delegates, giving them a flavour of local traditions and allowing them to take a bit of our culture back home with them.

What initiatives or incentives does Abu Dhabi offer to attract niche market events such as the ICCA Congress?

ADCEB introduced the Advantage Abu Dhabi programme to provide event organisers and meeting planners with support, solutions and incentives to reinforce Abu Dhabi as a premier destination for business events.

We work with MICE industry stakeholders to deliver successful events, providing support throughout the complete event planning cycle, including access to a network of partners experienced in organising business events and incentivising travel. We also offer value-added benefits, including hotel discounts, flight tickets, buyers and speakers programmes and more to achieve an event’s objectives and elevate them to the next level.

How does DCT collaborate with other sectors or government entities to ensure the success of these events?

Collaboration is crucial to delivering innovative, seamless and engaging events that help international stakeholders see the convenience and value of Abu Dhabi’s MICE landscape while meeting the various objectives of local economic sectors and government ambitions. For example, by working with the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) for financial services or the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (DED) for trade and investments, we can better understand their mid-to-long-term growth strategies and jointly identify events that help advance their objectives.

ADCEB then offers support with the event bid advisory, event budget estimates, project planning and delivery timelines and marketing strategies that ensure we attract the right delegates, exhibitors and interest to the event. We also provide financial support via the Advantage Abu Dhabi programme to strengthen the impact of events and deliver enriching experiences for delegates.

How does Abu Dhabi differentiate itself from other regional hubs in terms of attracting niche market events?

Abu Dhabi’s strategic location between the East and West and as a gateway to the MENA region is among its key differentiators. Our emirate is a six-hour flight from nearly two-thirds of the global population, making us highly accessible to people from far-flung corners of the world and enabling, in some cases, events to reduce their travel-generated carbon footprint.

We also have world-class travel and tourism infrastructure, making events more accessible to delegates. Our emirate’s multicultural ethos is also a considerable draw. The UAE is home to more than 200 nationalities, contributing to a rich exchange of cultures, perspectives and knowledge at events. It enhances the quality and breadth of dialogue and delivers immeasurable value to attendees and organisers alike.

What feedback have you received from international participants or stakeholders about Abu Dhabi as a venue for niche markets?

We widely receive positive feedback from international organisers and participants on their experience hosting or attending events in Abu Dhabi, which has been valuable in enhancing our services and initiatives. The emirate’s strategic location and connectivity have been widely commended, especially by organisers and delegates from cities that are further afield. The emirate provides a globally central address with a world-class travel, tourism, hospitality and events infrastructure that simplifies the hosting experience for organisers and helps attract attendees due to the convenience and varied stay and entertainment options. Our multicultural fabric also makes Abu Dhabi and the broader UAE diverse and welcoming. People feel safe and included here and can engage with other cultures and nationalities that might be new. Our Advantage Abu Dhabi programme has also provided immense ease to organisers and stakeholders, which we continue enhancing based on their recommendations and input.

How do you see Abu Dhabi’s role in the global landscape of business and cultural events evolving over the next decade?

Abu Dhabi has laid robust foundations for a prolific business and cultural event landscape, and we are keen to continue building upon it. Leveraging our strategic approach and the input of our stakeholders, we aim to continue identifying new opportunities, initiatives and areas of enhancement and strengthen our MICE offerings and capabilities.

By strategically investing in the necessary infrastructure and partnerships, we have defined a long-term roadmap to ensure Abu Dhabi becomes one of the leading business events and tourism hubs.

Looking ahead, what emerging niche segments do you see as the next big opportunity for Abu Dhabi, and how is DCT preparing to attract them?

ADCEB’s growth strategy aligns with the nation’s broader economic agenda. As Abu Dhabi establishes itself within the global artificial intelligence sphere, we are working closely with public and private stakeholders such as the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Omar Sultan Al Olama, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) and G42, among others, to attract and create events in the AI sector.

Space is another sector that’s increasingly important to our national ambitions, and we’re exploring activities with partners such as the UAE Space Agency and the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) to help nurture the landscape and dialogue of space exploration further through events.

Read: DCT Abu Dhabi’s Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani on supporting a new wave of cultural talent