Meshal Abdulla BinHussain is a veteran in information security management & technology transformation for over 20 years and with experience in both operational aspects, digital transformation projects, and cybersecurity related incident response. He is currently driving digital transformation initiatives across the UAE by adopting the latest emerging technologies such as robotics, advanced analytics and artificial intelligence in line with UAE’s Vision 2021. His prolonged experience in leading cyber-security incident handling and his wide expertise in the information security & technology field have enabled him to continuously progress and contribute tremendously in this subject of matter.
He started his career in ETISALAT as an Internet Security Engineer. He received his Bachelor in Communications Engineering B.Sc. (Honors) and his Masters Degree in Information Security from Khalifa University of Science, Technology & Research (KU).
Q. Do you think that cybersecurity is of equal importance for both SMEs and large enterprises?
Yes of course, there is a myth in the cybersecurity field that SMEs do not have valuable information which could be targeted by cyber-attacks, malware or ransomware and what they tend to do is let their guards down and take it lightly when in fact the information they withhold is very much valuable and of equal importance as of big corporates. It can be customer-related data, employee data, nation-related data and so on. So yes, how I see it is that it has equal importance for both SMEs and big corporations, and SMEs should have at least similar security measures and control supply to it.
Q. How critical is it for businesses to start adopting digital transformation?
First of all, they have to do the assessment needed and they have to do a cost benefit analysis before starting with the digital transformation journey. Businesses should evaluate their supply chain, processes and services and should try to identify whether automation and digital transformation will actually benefit them at the end and provide them with the ROI that they are looking for. If there is a term investment on the transformation, then they must jump on the bandwagon and of course start and initiate the transformation initiatives.
Q. With the growing technological complexities around the world, is staying cybersafe becoming more difficult or is it evolving at the same pace?
It is evolving. We are all seeing that hackers’ campaigns are continuously evolving because they are finding victims and preys. So the more successful they are, the more they will try to attack and they will be more innovative about it. So yes, cyber security area is a growing field and it is a race between the cyber security experts and the perpetrators or the attackers.
Q. How is Web 3 being integrated with IT and what impact does it have on cybersecurity?
Web 3.0 is basically a new concept to the field and like everything new, there is always an aura of hype around it and technology usually surpasses the policies, regulations and controls, so it is of equal importance like whenever a new technology is introduced to IT or the IT field, there has to be reviews or regulations to keep up with the new technologies and what aspects they are opening up and what opportunities do they bring to the table.
Q. How important is it for the common public to be aware of staying safe in the cyber-world?
It is very crucial that the public is aware of cybersecurity as we are all users of technology and smart gadgets and the tremendous amount of information that we store on those gadgets, makes it even more important for us to secure it and educate the mass public on the secure use of devices, keeping the information safe, reduce the e-crimes and digital crimes and attacks that occur to each and every individual of us.
Q. What message do you have for our readers?
The right source of information is key to growth in this highly dynamic technological space. I would urge all the readers to pay keen attention to it now, to sustain and grow in the near future. I’m personally looking forward to the next edition of The Technology Express Magazine, as I am sure that it will cover so many interesting stories and have lots of educational and informative content for all of us as usual.
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