Building cyber resilience for Qatar's AI-powered digital economy.
Convening cybersecurity leaders, government decision-makers, critical infrastructure operators and technology innovators to shape Qatar's secure digital future.
As Qatar accelerates its digital transformation under Qatar National Vision 2030, cybersecurity is emerging as a critical pillar of economic growth, digital trust, and national resilience.
With the country's cybersecurity market projected to exceed USD 1 billion by 2030 and global cybercrime costs expected to surpass USD 10 trillion annually, organizations are increasing investments in AI security, cloud protection, and critical infrastructure resilience.
Aligned with the Qatar National Cyber Security Strategy 2024-2030, Cyber First Qatar 2026 convenes 250+ senior leaders, 30+ expert speakers, and key government and industry stakeholders to shape the strategies, technologies, and partnerships of Qatar's secure, AI-powered future.
3rd Edition · Qatar
One day. One room. The leaders defining Qatar's secure digital future.
Of strategic insights & networking
Senior cybersecurity & technology leaders
Industry experts & visionary speakers
High-level leadership panels
Industry sectors represented
Hours of curated conversation
We are a CPD Certified Event.
Cyber First Qatar 2026 is certified by the CPD Certification Service. Attendees receive a CPD certificate after attending the event.
Earn up to 7 hours of CPD points.
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Approved ProviderSix forces converging on Doha right now.
From national strategy to converged industrial systems, the same handful of forces are reshaping how the Kingdom defends its connected economy — and they are all moving at once.
Aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030
Supporting the ambitions of QNV 2030 through secure digital transformation across government, enterprise, and critical infrastructure.
Investments accelerating across the digital stack
AI, cloud, digital government, and smart infrastructure programs are scaling rapidly and reshaping the threat surface.
Cyber resilience as a national imperative
Strengthening protection of critical national assets and essential services against a rapidly evolving adversary landscape.
AI threats and IT/OT convergence
Addressing the growing challenges of AI-powered cyber threats and converged industrial systems that legacy controls were not built for.
Regulatory frameworks and digital trust
Advancing data protection, digital trust, and compliance posture across regulated sectors.
Public-private collaboration
Fostering stronger partnership between government, industry, and technology partners to defend the Kingdom's connected economy.
The market is moving fast.
Estimated size of Qatar's cybersecurity market.
Projected market value, reflecting sustained investment.
Expected annual growth of Qatar's cybersecurity market.
Qatar's projected digital transformation market value.
Estimated global cost of cybercrime, raising urgency.
Involve ransomware, phishing, identity or credential theft.
The conversations defining cyber resilience in Qatar.
National Cyber Resilience & Digital Sovereignty
AI Security, Governance & Responsible AI
Critical Infrastructure, IT/OT & Industrial Security
Cloud Security, Data Protection & Digital Trust
Cyber Risk, Compliance & Regulatory Readiness
Cybersecurity Automation & AI-Driven SecOps
Zero Trust & Identity-Centric Security
Threat Intelligence & Incident Response
Shaped by leaders who run the security functions.
The voices on the Qatar stage.
Mustafa Ünal Erten
Chief, Regional Centre for Combating Cybercrime — Doha
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
Maha Serdaneh
Sr. System Engineer
DataPatrol
Ahmad Laban
Regional Sales Manager
DataPatrol
Partnering to secure Qatar.
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Trusted by the security vendor ecosystem.
A snapshot of the global technology leaders and security vendors who have partnered with the Cyber First series.
The room is built for senior decision-makers.
250+ senior cyber and digital leaders shaping Qatar's connected economy.
A curated, invite-only gathering of CISOs, CIOs and security practitioners across government, banking, energy and critical infrastructure.
The sectors shaping Qatar's connected economy.
One day. Four panels. A full programme.
- 08:00 – 09:00LogisticsRegistration, Networking & RefreshmentsAn opportunity for delegates, speakers, sponsors, and industry leaders to connect before the summit begins.
- 09:00 – 09:05WelcomeWelcome RemarksEvents First Group (EFG) — Welcome Address
- 09:05 – 09:10WelcomeOpening RemarksShaikha Al-Thani — Owner, The Cyber Pulse
- 09:10 – 09:20KeynoteOpening Keynote · Strengthening Regulatory Resilience and Governance in Qatar’s Evolving Digital EconomyEwald Müller — Senior Advisor, Supervision and Authorisation, QFC Regulatory Authority
- 09:20 – 10:00PanelPanel 1 · Securing Qatar’s Digital Future Through Cyber Resilience, Innovation & TrustExploring how government and industry can strengthen national cyber resilience while enabling innovation, digital trust, and secure economic growth.Khalid Ibrahim Lakdawala — Information Systems Expert, ConfidentialEwald Müller — Senior Advisor, Supervision and Authorisation, QFC Regulatory AuthorityNoureddine Bouhaddaoui — Head of Security Product, Ooredoo GroupHugo Lopes — Group Chief Technology Officer, Amwaj GroupShaikha Al-Thani — Owner, The Cyber PulseAhmad Laban — Regional Sales Manager, DataPatrolModerator Nicholas Jones — EMEIA Cybersecurity Leader, EY
- 10:00 – 10:10Tech PartnerTechnology Partner Presentation · Sponsor Session 1Presented by DataPatrolMaha Serdaneh — Sr. System Engineer, DataPatrol
- 10:10 – 10:20Tech PartnerTechnology Partner Presentation · Sponsor Session 2Presented by TeKnowledgeEric Schifflers — YNV Group CISO & Head of GRC, TeKnowledge
- 10:20 – 11:00BreakNetworking Coffee Break & Exhibition TourConnect with peers, explore sponsor showcases, and discover the latest cybersecurity innovations.
- 11:00 – 11:40PanelPanel 2 · AI, Automation & Cyber Defense — Managing Opportunity and RiskExamining how organisations can leverage AI to strengthen cyber defence while addressing emerging risks associated with generative AI and autonomous systems.Meera Sahib Yoosoof Rasheen — Head of Information Security, Qatar PostAli Abdulla Hasan Alsadadi — Chief of Information Technology, Ministry of Oil & Environment BahrainJohn Mankarios — Head of IT, QInvestHans W. Thomasz — CISO, Qatar Development BankVladimir Kanyshev — Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), ConfidentialOmer Misirlioglu — Director of Artificial Intelligence and Product, Apex HealthModerator Ozel Hurmuzlu — Head of Institutional Quality Management, Qatar University
- 11:40 – 11:50Tech PartnerTechnology Partner Presentation · Sponsor Session 3Presented by MDSReserved for MDS
- 11:50 – 12:00Tech PartnerTechnology Partner Presentation · Sponsor Session 4Presented by Qatar Computer ServicesSaad Bin Hamid — Head of Enterprise Business, Qatar Computer Services
- 12:00 – 12:40PanelPanel 3 · Protecting Critical Infrastructure — Strengthening IT, OT & Industrial CybersecurityDiscussing strategies to secure critical infrastructure, industrial environments, and operational technology against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.Feroz Khan — Head of IT Security, TotalEnergiesBilal Rao — Head of IT & OT Cybersecurity, ConfidentialArslan Baig — Lead IT & Cybersecurity, Al-AWALIAAissa Touahria — Vice Chairman & CEO, TITAN Energy Corp, QatarModerator Ovais Ahmed — Senior Consultant ICS/OT, KPMG Qatar
- 12:40 – 13:10BreakNetworking & Refreshment BreakAn opportunity to continue conversations, network with industry peers, and visit the exhibition area.
- 13:10 – 13:25FiresideFireside Chat · Data Protection & Digital Trust in an AI-Driven EconomyAn executive conversation on balancing innovation with privacy, data governance, and digital trust in the age of AI.Farhan Chaudhry — VP of Cybersecurity, Governance, Risk and Compliance, Qatar AirwaysModerator Amer Bazerbachi — Partner, KPMG Qatar
- 13:25 – 14:05PanelPanel 4 · From Compliance to Cyber Resilience — Building Trust in a Connected EconomyExploring how organisations can move beyond compliance to build resilient, secure, and trusted digital ecosystems.Christa Waegemann — International Director, Violence Prevention Network gGmbHFarhan Chaudhry — VP of Cybersecurity, Governance, Risk and Compliance, Qatar AirwaysMustafa Ünal Erten — Chief, Regional Centre for Combating Cybercrime — Doha, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)Sandamali Silva — Information Security, IT Governance and Technology Risk Leader, ConfidentialAnfal Shaikh — CISO, Qatar Islamic InsuranceModerator Amer Bazerbachi — Partner Advisory, KPMG Qatar
- 14:05 – 14:25Awards & RaffleCyber First Qatar Awards & Recognition Ceremony · Raffle DrawRecognising excellence and leadership in cybersecurity across seven award categories, followed by the raffle draw.
- 14:25 – 14:30ClosingClosing RemarksA summary of the day’s key insights and a look ahead at the future of cybersecurity collaboration in Qatar.
- 14:30 – onwardsLogisticsNetworking LunchConclude the summit with informal networking and discussions among delegates, speakers, sponsors, and partners.
Agenda subject to change.
Highlights from past editions.
Relive the energy from Cyber First editions across the region.
Cyber First · UAE
Cyber First · KuwaitHear it from the room.
Hear directly from cybersecurity leaders who attended past Cyber First summits.
From the floor of past editions.
The room where regional security leaders converge.
Cyber First Qatar AwardsThe Cyber 7Seven Pillars of Cyber Resilience Powering Qatar's AI-Driven Digital Future
As Qatar advances toward an AI-powered digital economy, cyber resilience has become more than a technology priority — it is a foundation for national digital trust, business continuity, innovation and sustainable growth.
The Cyber 7 recognises the organisations and individuals demonstrating leadership across seven critical dimensions of Qatar's evolving cybersecurity landscape.
Seven Pillars. One Vision. A More Resilient Digital Qatar.
Speak directly with the team behind the room.
Hosted at
Grand Hyatt Doha Hotel & Villas.
Cyber First Qatar 2026 convenes at Grand Hyatt Doha Hotel & Villas in Doha on 10 November 2026.
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