Al-Khalij holds seminar for executives on 'Cybersecurity'
Al-Khalij Bank organized an awareness seminar on cybersecurity, attended by over 100 executives and experts from the public and private sectors to discuss electronic threats and the importance of readiness.
Translated by Qiyas from الجريدة — Original source
On the occasion of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and in support of its ongoing backing of the “Let’s Be Aware” campaign, Gulf Bank organized a cybersecurity awareness seminar under the slogan “Cybersecurity is Your Responsibility and Ours,” with the aim of enhancing readiness to counter advanced cyber threats and supporting the protection of customer information. The event was attended by more than 100 executive leaders from the bank, including Acting CEO Sami Mahfouz.
The seminar featured participation from various government and private entities, including Major Saud Al-Wazan, Cybercrime Officer at the Ministry of Interior; Dr. Basil Al-Othman, Director of Kuwait Hackers; Hussein Al-Nakass, IT and Cybersecurity Consultant; Sweeney In, Senior Advisor at Exxon Technologies; Andrea Di Bari, Head of the Technical Department; and Ross Macnoughton, Deputy General Manager and Head of Information Security at Gulf Bank.
Gulf Bank expressed its gratitude to all experts and companies participating in the seminar, extending its thanks and appreciation to the Ministry of Interior for its continuous efforts in enhancing cybersecurity awareness and protecting Kuwaiti society from digital threats. The bank also thanked Major Saud Anwar Al-Wazan, the IT crimes officer at the Ministry of Interior, for his valuable keynote address and active contribution to the seminar.
The bank commended the high level of security awareness among its employees, emphasizing the importance of this awareness amid the rapid advancement of technology and the accompanying increase in the complexity of fraud and cybercrime operations. It stressed the necessity of maintaining this level of awareness through continuous training and fostering a culture of vigilance, based on the responsibility of all employees to protect customer data and ensure the security of banking operations.
The seminar addressed emerging cyber risks, developments in digital fraud methods, and their impact on financial institutions. Discussions highlighted the importance of understanding the nature of constantly evolving threats and maintaining the readiness and knowledge needed to deal with them effectively. Experts from both the public and private sectors contributed to enriching the dialogue, emphasizing the importance of joint cooperation in addressing these challenges.
The impact of artificial intelligence on cybersecurity was one of the main themes of the seminar, where speakers discussed how to leverage AI technologies to enhance security systems, alongside the risks associated with their misuse in cyberattacks.
Participants emphasized that these developments require a proactive approach to managing digital risks, especially with the continuous expansion of digital banking services.
The participation of executive leaders also reflected the importance of embedding a cybersecurity culture across the entire organization. The annual seminar provides a platform for continuous learning and enhancing collaboration among various departments, supporting a unified understanding of digital risks and reinforcing each employee’s responsibility to protect customers, colleagues, and bank operations.
Gulf Bank continues to strengthen its cybersecurity framework through investments in the latest security technologies, the development of governance and risk management frameworks, and the implementation of continuous employee training and awareness programs. These efforts support the bank’s commitment to protecting customer data, ensuring business continuity, and providing secure and innovative digital banking services.
