On October 24, 2024, Gulf Bank conducted its highly anticipated annual Cybersecurity Awareness Session in Kuwait, partnering with leading security experts CrowdStrike, EY, and SecurEyes. The event brought together over 120 attendees, including 80 top executives from Gulf Bank and 40 key personnel from various departments like finance, retail, and marketing. This year’s session was centered around critical topics in cybersecurity and featured engaging discussions on the evolving cyber regulatory landscape.

The event successfully highlighted the growing cybersecurity challenges faced by the banking sector and proposed actionable solutions for senior management to stay ahead of these threats. Let’s break down the key elements of the event.

 

Why should this matter to you?

A cybersecurity strategy that engages your senior management is crucial to protecting your organisation. Now is the time to strengthen your defences and empower your teams to handle today’s evolving threats.

Could your senior leadership benefit from a similar session? Let’s talk about how we can tailor a cybersecurity program to fit your organization’s unique needs.

Reach out to us to learn more about our tailored cybersecurity awareness workshops.

 

1. Overview of the Event

Gulf Bank’s cybersecurity awareness initiative is part of a broader commitment to ensuring data protection and risk management, underlined by its 2030 ESG Sustainability Strategy. The event falls under the bank’s participation in the ‘Diraya’ (Know-how) campaign, a national initiative led by the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) and the Kuwait Banking Association (KBA) to promote cybersecurity awareness and resilience across the sector.

The session provided a comprehensive look into the evolving cyber regulatory landscape and how upcoming regulations will impact banks. With high-level attendees and an emphasis on practical takeaways, this event was a significant milestone in Gulf Bank’s efforts to foster a culture of cybersecurity awareness among its leadership and staff.

 

2. Keynote Presentation: SecurEyes’ Insight on the Evolving Cyber Regulatory Landscape

One of the highlights of the event was SecurEyes’ presentation on “The Evolving Cyber Regulatory Landscape in West Asia and its Impact on Upcoming Regulations.” This 20-minute session, followed by an engaging Q&A, offered valuable insights into how the rapidly changing regulatory environment is reshaping cybersecurity in the region.

• The Future of Cybersecurity Attacks: SecurEyes discussed the future landscape of cyber threats, touching on the growing frequency of phishing and ransomware attacks. By showing real-world examples of potential attacks, the presentation brought home the urgency of proactive cybersecurity measures for Gulf Bank’s senior leadership.
• Proactive Cybersecurity Management: The session emphasised the importance of adopting a comprehensive cybersecurity management framework, with particular focus on what senior management can do to build cyber resilience. SecurEyes outlined CBK’s recommendations and the critical roles of department heads in securing their infrastructure.
• Strategic Roadmap for Cyber Resilience: Attendees were provided with a roadmap on how to implement distributed cybersecurity plans, ensuring they could not only defend against today’s threats but also anticipate future challenges. A quick survey engaged the audience in actively assessing their own organisation’s readiness.

 

3. Interactive Workshop for Senior Management

A core part of the event was the interactive Senior Management Workshop, which aimed to equip Gulf Bank’s executives with the tools and insights they need to address cybersecurity risks in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment. Executives from business, finance, marketing, and retail departments participated in hands-on sessions designed to:

• Identify cybersecurity risks specific to their areas of responsibility.
• Understand regulatory requirements from CBK and global standards.
• Discuss real-life cyber incidents and how to prevent similar breaches in their operations.

The workshop created a collaborative environment where senior management could exchange ideas, share concerns, and develop a deeper understanding of their role in cybersecurity risk management.

 

 

4. Positive Takeaways and Concluding Remarks

The 2024 Cybersecurity Awareness Session concluded on a high note, with enthusiastic feedback from participants and key takeaways for future implementation. The event underscored the importance of building a culture of cybersecurity within financial institutions and provided Gulf Bank’s senior management with actionable insights for improving their organization’s cyber resilience.

The combination of expert knowledge from SecurEyes, CrowdStrike, and EY, and the collaborative workshop, left attendees with a clear understanding of the evolving cyber regulatory landscape in West Asia and how they can proactively protect their infrastructure.

As Gulf Bank continues its journey toward achieving its 2030 ESG goals, including greater cyber resilience, this session marked an important step.

For financial institutions looking to stay ahead of emerging cyber threats and regulatory challenges, SecurEyes’ cybersecurity solutions provide a proactive and comprehensive approach. To learn more about how SecurEyes can help your organisation build a strong cybersecurity framework, please connect with us at hello@secureyes.net.