Page 6 - SAMENA Trends - July-August 2023

FEATURED SAMENA TRENDS

Global Cybersecurity Forum

GCF Institute to Bring Stakeholders Together to Chart

Shared Priorities in Securing Cyberspace

Global thought leaders, decision makers, and cybersecurity experts
will convene again in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the Global Cybersecu- New Global Cybersecurity Institute to Harness the Potential
rity Forum (GCF) on November 1 this year. of Cyberspace

This year’s event will be held under the theme of ‘Charting Shared Aiming to unite global action around the shared principles
Priorities in Cyberspace’ and will build directly from the outcomes and values, the GCF Institute will tackle the most challenging
and insights of the successful 2022 GCF event, aiming to advance cybersecurity issues facing governments, businesses, and
the global cyber community towards aligning on strategic priorities, individuals. It will be a catalyst for the exchange of ideas,
According to the latest available data, there expanding future opportunities, and deepening multi-stakeholder en- driving thought leadership and developing research to inform
are approximately 7.74 billion connected IoT gagement. policy solutions and action. In addition, it will also facilitate
devices. The number of current IoT devices Amidst various global challenges – from widespread economic tur- international projects and partnerships to strengthen
existing efforts on key initiatives.
(7 billion) may seem staggering. But due moil to geostrategic competition, cyberspace remains a critical do-
to 5G and other technologies, this figure is main of importance for businesses and countries alike, transcend- The GCF Institute will serve as a platform to advance
stability, security, and prosperity of Cyberspace by catalyzing
ing physical and conceptual borders. Given the pervasiveness of the
expected to increase to 25.44 billion total domain, cybersecurity represents both a central imperative and a socioeconomic change, pushing knowledge boundaries, and
IoT devides by 2030. tremendous opportunity for a wide range of stakeholders. uniting global champions. Its objective is to pioneer global
initiatives that will maximize the benefits of Cyberspace and
build resilience through dialogue, investment, research, and
innovation.

Headquartered in Riyadh, the GCF Institute will be guided
by an international Board of Trustees, tasked with the
responsibility of safeguarding the institution’s sustainability
and independence. In addition, the institute will have an
Advisory Council, composed of international experts
carefully drawn from the highest echelons of government,
academia, think tanks, and private sector.

Given the inherently integrated and pervasive nature of
Cyberspace, its safe and secure development is a shared
global responsibility. The ongoing dialogue among key
global cybersecurity stakeholders has underscored the need
for a new entity that can provide an action-oriented platform,
designed to develop solutions to the most pressing issues
in Cyberspace. With the launch of the GCF Institute, the
global community will be able to count on a new instrument
to complement existing efforts and harness the potential of
Cyberspace.
Through the Institute, the annual Global Cybersecurity Forum
will continue to convene experts and decision-makers from
around the world to meet and discuss protecting the most
vulnerable in Cyberspace, while maximizing its benefits for
everyone.

6 JULY-AUGUST 2023