Focus on Saudi Arabia

Date: October 15, 2024
Location: British Embassy, Riyadh
Event Type: Invite-Only Thought Leadership Discussions

The vibrant city of Riyadh hosted a high-profile event at the British Embassy on October 15, 2024, bringing together key leaders and experts to discuss one of the most critical issues of our time: data protection. Organised by Galaxkey, this thought leadership event gathered 50 senior professionals from various sectors, including government, telecom, banking and finance, agriculture, medical, consulting, oil and gas industries, hailing from Saudi Arabia’s capital, the Eastern Province, and Bahrain.

The Panellists:

  • Admiral Sir George Zambellas, Chairman of Galaxkey
  • Aiman H. AlJumoay, Chief Delivery & Advisory Officer, sirar
  • Badr Aldoweesh, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Leaders Systems
  • Gordon Bateman, Head of Enterprise Risk Management, Almarai
  • Clinton Firth, Senior Partner, PwC

This exceptional lineup of industry experts set the stage for a series of impactful discussions centered around the geopolitical, economic, and regulatory aspects of data protection in today’s digital world.

Key Points of Discussion

Geopolitical Impact on Data Control and Sovereignty

In an increasingly interconnected world, data has become a critical asset with geopolitical ramifications. The control over sensitive information is no longer just a matter of cybersecurity—it is an issue of national sovereignty. The panellists emphasised how data control is pivotal for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the wider region, with implications for both national security and economic independence.

Economic Growth and Cybercriminal Activity

With the economic expansion of the Kingdom, especially in sectors like oil and gas, agriculture, and banking, there has been a corresponding rise in cybercriminal activity. The conversation highlighted that as Saudi Arabia continues to develop into a global economic power, it must simultaneously reinforce its digital security infrastructure to safeguard sensitive data from malicious actors.

Compliance Management: National and International

As organizations in the region expand their international footprint, they must navigate an increasingly complex web of compliance requirements. From regional regulations like Saudi Arabia’s National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) guidelines to international frameworks such as the GDPR, the event discussed the importance of implementing technologies that can manage and automate compliance both locally and globally.

Extending Economic Thought Leadership into the Digital Arena

Saudi Arabia’s leadership in regional economic thought must now be extended into the digital arena. By investing in cutting-edge technologies that ensure data sovereignty and protection, the Kingdom can further solidify its position as a leader in the digital economy.

Future Trends and Strategic Recommendations

As part of the forward-looking dialogue, the experts shared insights on future trends in data protection and risk management, including the need for user-friendly yet comprehensive security solutions that protect diverse data types across industries.

Event Takeaways

The event’s discussions left a lasting impression on the attendees, highlighting the clear and present risks posed to the Kingdom and the wider Gulf region, as well as the urgent need for proactive solutions. Among the primary takeaways were:

  • Data Control and Sovereignty: The necessity for technology that enables organizations to maintain control over their data, no matter where it is stored or travels.
  • Localised Data: The importance of keeping sensitive data within Saudi borders to prevent unauthorised foreign access.
  • Compliance Management: Balancing regional and international compliance with growing business activities across borders.
  • Usability and Protection: Technologies must offer comprehensive protection across multiple data types while remaining simple to use, ensuring they are practical for real-world application.

The Importance of This Event

This invite-only thought leadership session was a crucial moment for strengthening the Kingdom’s commitment to data protection, digital security, and sovereignty. As Saudi Arabia accelerates its Vision 2030 ambitions, including the diversification of its economy and the development of digital infrastructure, events like these serve as catalysts for strategic thought and action. The conversations that took place at the British Embassy were not only timely but essential for fostering partnerships that will enable organizations in the Kingdom to secure their data while continuing to grow in the global marketplace.

The Geopolitical Advantage of Galaxkey in Data Protection

At the heart of the discussions was Galaxkey’s approach to data security, which offers significant geopolitical advantages. Galaxkey’s technology allows organisations to retain full control over their data, ensuring that it can be protected within national borders without relying on foreign entities that may expose sensitive information to unintended risks. This capability is especially critical in a time when countries are grappling with the geopolitical impact of data ownership and security.

Moreover, Galaxkey’s architecture is designed with a “no-backdoor” philosophy, ensuring that foreign governments cannot access an organisation’s data through undisclosed vulnerabilities. This empowers Saudi companies and institutions to comply with both local and international data protection regulations while safeguarding against unwanted foreign interference. By providing a comprehensive yet user-friendly solution, Galaxkey is positioned as a key player in helping Saudi Arabia achieve its national security and data protection objectives, reinforcing its sovereignty in the digital age.

Conclusion

The event underscored the growing importance of robust data protection solutions in today’s geopolitical and economic landscape. The expertise shared by the panel, coupled with the active participation of attendees, showcased the urgent need for actionable strategies that secure data and maintain compliance in an evolving regulatory environment. As interest from participants surged following the event, it’s clear that Galaxkey is well-positioned to play a critical role in the future of data protection across Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the broader region.