Cybersecurity Conflicts Emerge as a New Front in Global Warfare During Cairo ICT 2025 Discussions
Cybersecurity threats and their growing role in modern international conflicts took center stage during a session titled “Threat Intelligence for Protection Against Destructive Attacks,” held at the 29th edition of Cairo ICT, the leading technology exhibition and conference in the Middle East and Africa. The event is being hosted at the Egypt International Exhibition Center under the theme “AI Everywhere.”
The session was moderated by Ayman Zaki, Chief Information Security Officer at AAB, who underscored how cyber threats have evolved dramatically in recent years. He noted that digital attacks have become a central component of geopolitical and international conflict dynamics. Zaki added that artificial intelligence is now embedded across all cybersecurity operations, to the extent that speakers agreed there was no need to repeatedly mention the term—its presence is inherent in every tool and process used today.
Sherif Saleh, Security Consultant at Kaspersky, said global trends point toward increasingly sophisticated, multi-phase cyberattacks that unfold in successive waves. He stressed the importance of investing in training, awareness, and advanced detection tools to identify and counter these threats. Saleh also noted that every industry faces unique cyberattack patterns, which require deep analysis and specialized defensive strategies.
Dr. Ahmed Hassan Ali, Director of Cybersecurity at Alkan CIT, highlighted the Russia-Ukraine conflict as a defining model of hybrid warfare. He explained that the war began with cyberattacks targeting digital infrastructure, databases, and power networks, accompanied by large-scale disinformation campaigns. He described this as one of the most significant examples of modern cyber warfare, emphasizing that data has become the most sensitive asset within any digital system, requiring advanced technologies and strict protection measures.
Ahmed Nader, Head of the Security Operations Center at Liquid, stated that countries worldwide are now prioritizing intensive training programs in cyber warfare due to the unprecedented severity of current digital threats. He stressed that smart, efficient interaction with digital systems is essential to ensure rapid response and mitigate the impact of diverse attacks.
Ibrahim Azzab, Regional Vice President of Sales at OpenText Middle East and Africa, said motivations behind cyberattacks are more complex than ever before, adding that such attacks have become more dangerous and impactful. He emphasized the need for continuous readiness and sustained investment in defense capabilities. Despite technological advances, Azzab affirmed that the human factor remains the most critical line of defense in confronting cyber risks.
Concluding the session, Ashraf Kaheel, Vice President for the Middle East, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand at IP Group, revealed that between 25 and 30 million cybersecurity professionals are active across social media platforms. He noted that reliance on technology alone is not sufficient to ensure protection, stressing that awareness, training, and understanding online risks are essential. “Every viewer is a player on the internet,” he said, underscoring that user awareness forms the first line of cyber defense.
Cairo ICT 2025 runs from 16 to 19 November at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in New Cairo under the patronage of Minister of Communications and Information Technology Dr. Amr Talaat. Hosted under the theme “AI Everywhere,” the event features more than 500 exhibitors and encompasses five specialized events: PAFIX for digital payments and financial inclusion, AIDC for artificial intelligence and data centers, Connecta for youth and digital entertainment, Innovation Arena, and Cyber Zone for cybersecurity. For the first time, activities are held across two exhibition venues.
Government bodies and major institutions participating include the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Central Bank of Egypt, the Financial Regulatory Authority, the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA), ITIDA, Egypt Post, the Arab Organization for Industrialization, and Future of Egypt Project as Guest of Honor.
The event is sponsored by Dell Technologies, e-Finance, WB Engineers+Consultants, CIB, Huawei, Orange Egypt, EgyptAir, Egypt Trust, Mastercard, Medar, Fortinet, Salesforce, Benya Group, Khazna, National Bank of Egypt, Arab African International Bank, Bank of Alexandria, Shaker Group, ICT Misr, IoT Misr, Network International, and Meinhardt.