N7 cybersecurity creates new horizons for the Abraham Accords

Name: N7 cybersecurity creates new horizons for the Abraham Accords
Uploaded: 2023-05-24T15:44:36.000Z
Duration: 2 h 42 min 40 s

Cyber Security and New Horizons with the Abraham Accords

In this program, the panel discusses cyber security risks and shared adversity addressed through cyber security. They also delve further into the reciprocities, benefits, and opportunities in economic development with cyber security.

Introduction of Panelists

The esteemed panel includes:

His Excellency Shake Abdullah bid Rasheed bin Abdullah al-kalifa, Ambassador from Bahrain to United States

His Excellency Michael Herzog, Ambassador from Israel

Under Secretary Robert Silvers from the Department of Homeland Security with public policy and plans

Common Cyber Threats

Under Secretary Silvers describes common cyber threats that all Abraham Accord signing states face:

Ransomware attacks by cyber criminals targeting companies around the world

Cyber aggression directed across the region as well as into the United States by Iran

Attacks on critical infrastructure

Influence operations directed into other countries

Counter Ransomware Initiative

A global alliance of countries called the Counter Ransomware Initiative has been set up to counter ransomware attacks.

This is something that can be worked on fruitfully as Abraham Accords countries as well as with others in the region.

Seizing Geopolitical Opening for Digital Security

The panel discusses seizing upon a geopolitical opening of the Abraham Accords to take digital security to their cyber ecosystem.

This will allow them to work together as partners to harden up their defenses for the next century of digital innovation and infrastructure.

Expansion of Abraham Accords into Cybersecurity Space

Dr. Mohammed Al-Qaed, the head of cybersecurity for the UAE, discusses how the expansion of the Abraham Accords into this space can aid in protecting not only the United Arab Emirates but also the region.

The UAE has always taken a regional approach.

Cybersecurity and Information Sharing

The speakers discuss the importance of information sharing in cybersecurity, and how it can help detect and deter attacks. They also mention the need for a strong cyber culture to ensure safety.

Information Sharing for Proactive Defense

Attacks are a top priority from both a business and broad business perspective.

Information sharing technologies, policies, procedures, and people power allow proactive detection and deterrence of attacks.

Indicator of compromises (IOCs) are shared across all members to prepare for attacks.

Digital transformation investments create a fragile environment where even simple attacks could cause devastation.

A great cyber culture is built across all domains to allow everyone to feel safe.

Cross-Domain Protection

The speakers discuss how cooperation between countries in the region can help protect against cyber threats. They mention examples of successful initiatives that have been implemented.

Cooperation Between Countries

Cooperation in cybersecurity is natural since countries in the region face similar threats from state actors, non-state actors, and cyber criminals.

Many agreements exist between countries in various fields including security and civilian areas.

Working together with other countries will be better than working alone.

Counter ransomware initiative is an example of what can be done together.

Iran targets Israel every day in the field of cybersecurity. Cooperation between countries is necessary to combat these threats.

Conclusion

The speakers conclude by emphasizing the importance of cooperation and information sharing in cybersecurity, and how it can help protect against cyber threats.

Importance of Cooperation and Information Sharing

Cooperation and information sharing are crucial in protecting against cyber threats.

The Abraham Accords have created a new platform for countries to work together on cybersecurity initiatives.

Cybersecurity is a global issue that requires collaboration between countries.

Importance of Cybersecurity in the Region

The speaker discusses how governments are realizing the importance of embracing technology and digitizing their services. They emphasize the need for resiliency and working together to protect national security interests through a multitude of initiatives.

Embracing Technology

Governments limiting themselves if they don't embrace technology

Region investing more in infrastructure and moving services towards virtual

Importance of resiliency and working together towards building a system that protects nations

Cyber Knows No Boundaries

Enemies are at arm's length, so collective work is needed to build resiliency

Example of US Navy working with like-minded nations to form coalitions protecting waterways influencing global energy prices

Need to work with like-minded nations to protect national security interests through a multitude of initiatives

Expansion of the Abraham Accords into Cybersecurity

The speaker talks about how discussions took place on the margins of various conferences and events around the world between Israel, Bahrain, UAE, Morocco, and USA. They discuss how cybersecurity was ripe for partnership at both political and operational levels.

Leveraging Geopolitical Shift

Discussions started during Biden transition team in November 2020

Discussions took place on margins of various conferences/events around the world

Interest was strong from all countries involved

Partnership at political level deepened; building connectivity between teams to move at speed of relevance against cyber threats

Cyber Pulse Innovation Center

Dr. Alquady talks about the Cyber Pulse Innovation Center, which is an initiative to spread the culture of cybersecurity across all domains.

Purpose of Cyber Pulse Initiative

The initiative aims to spread the culture of cybersecurity and has won three prizes so far.

It spreads across all domains, including schools' curriculums, early ages of those schools, and boardrooms.

The Polytechnic Cyberbull Center of Excellence is a physical place in the middle of the University that builds synergy between academia, industries, and government.

Three centers of excellence have been established in Khalifa University as well as in Zion University working on one perspective and expanding that into many events.

Information Sharing Platform

The information sharing platform is part of the cyber pulse where they leverage IOCs and information to spread it to the whole community.

Entities such as businesses, governments or even countries who are in real need can benefit from this data sharing.

The cyber pulse was recognized under the United Nations as one of the models for spreading information and spreading cybersecurity culture entities.

Successes

Statistics show that cyber crimes have lowered.

The Importance of Cybersecurity in Economic Development

In this section, the speakers discuss the importance of cybersecurity in economic development and how it affects society at large. They also talk about the need for collaboration and information sharing to address cybersecurity threats.

The Cost of Data Breaches

A data breach costs about 6.5 million dollars in the Middle East, which is 87% higher than the global average.

These numbers have a direct effect on performance and global standing when compared to industries like oil and gas.

Collaboration between experts from different regions is necessary to share ideas and learn from one another.

High-Tech Sectors and Economic Development

Social media activity poses risks associated with corruption that could be addressed through training.

As governments move towards interconnectivity, it's important to protect ourselves internally as well as in the entire region.

High-tech sectors, particularly cybersecurity, are critical elements of economic growth and cooperation.

Israel is becoming a scale-up nation but is already a cyber nation with huge potential for economic growth.

Conclusion

The speakers emphasize that collaboration between countries is essential to address cybersecurity threats effectively. They also highlight the importance of high-tech sectors like cybersecurity in driving economic growth and development.

Cybersecurity and Economic Development

The speaker discusses the importance of cybersecurity in protecting energy, seaports, and airlines. He emphasizes that this is an economic initiative and highlights the need to build a security architecture around these common fixtures of our economies.

Protecting Critical Infrastructure

Major oil and gas producers are represented at the event, including Israel with its new offshore gas development, Bahrain, UAE, and the United States.

Seaports such as Jebel Ali in the UAE and the Fifth Fleet based in Bahrain are critical to our economies.

Airlines are also important fixtures of our economies.

Building an architecture of security around these fixtures is crucial.

Opportunities for Cooperation

Members of Congress from the Abraham Accords caucus and cybersecurity caucus will join to discuss implementation and policy development from the US side.

Cooperation on cybersecurity helps secure not only local issues but also foreign policy.

A recent bipartisan delegation led by Senator James Langford visited Morocco, Bahrain, UAE, and Israel to see their cooperation on cybersecurity along with other areas such as tourism investment energy.

Importance for National Security

Advanced cybersecurity threats from Iran pose a common threat to nations in the Middle East.

The Abraham Accords have expanded beyond just energy into areas like water innovation education and now cybersecurity.

Congresswoman Alyssa Slotkin stresses that cybersecurity is crucial for advancing national security.

Introduction to Cybersecurity and the Abraham Accords

In this section, the speaker introduces the topic of cybersecurity and its importance in our daily lives. The lack of norms around cyberspace makes it a complicated issue, but the Abraham Accords can help establish standards for cybersecurity.

Importance of Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity threats affect all different sectors of the economy, including telecommunications, finance, information sharing, data storage, etc.

Artificial intelligence is going to supercharge cyber threats globally.

Lack of norms around cyberspace makes it a complicated issue.

Enhanced cyber cooperation can lay the groundwork for deeper cooperation in other areas.

Local Impact of Cybersecurity Threats

Every single superintendent in my district raised their hands when asked if they had ever been hit by a ransomware attack.

International cooperation is crucial in ensuring the security of people on the ground and communities at the local level.

Importance of Regional Cooperation

The expanded scope of the Abraham Accords includes shared cybersecurity priorities and regional cooperation to address shared threats.

Enhanced cyber cooperation can lay the groundwork for deeper cooperation in other areas.

Acknowledging Congressional Support for Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy

In this section, Tom Warwick acknowledges Congressional support for cybersecurity policy and strategy related to the Abraham Accords. He also provides details about how attendees can ask questions during this event.

Congressional Support for Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy

The Abrahams Accords have enjoyed strong bipartisan support from Congress.

Senator Jackie Rosen will be introducing a bill to codify and support the roles that the Department of Homeland Security and its agencies and components will be able to do in the cyber domain.

Asking Questions During the Event

Attendees can ask questions through the askac.org website.

A QR code is available for attendees to scan, which will take them to a website called stagetimer.io where they can submit their questions electronically.

Introduction to Cybersecurity Experts

This section introduces the three cybersecurity experts who will be discussing the importance of international cooperation in cybersecurity.

Introducing Jeanette Manfra

Jeanette Manfra was the assistant secretary for cyber security and Communications with Sis's predecessor, the National Protection and programs directorate.

She has an extensive background as advisors to secretaries of Homeland Security and to the National Security Council.

Her background is in Military Intelligence.

Introducing Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery

Rear Admiral retired Mark Montgomery is the executive director of the cyberspace Solarium commission 2.0.

He was also executive director of cyberspace Solarium 1.0 which made recommendations to Congress and the executive branch on how to strengthen cybersecurity.

He served 32 years in uniform in the U.S Navy before retiring as a rear Admiral in 2017.

Introducing Lauren Seberic

Lauren Seberic is a senior policy advisor for the cybersecurity division at sisa.

Previously she was executive director of the Cyber project at Harvard University's Belfor Center.

Her background is in Military Intelligence cyber security policy.

Importance of International Cooperation in Cybersecurity

This section discusses why international cooperation is important for cybersecurity from both government and private sector perspectives.

Importance of Regional Stability and Norms of Behavior

International cooperation on a variety of security issues has always been understood, but historically, it was challenging to recognize that cybersecurity should be considered on par with other types of security cooperation internationally.

The importance of having regional stability and regional cooperation on a variety of security issues is well-proven, but adding cybersecurity to that ability for regional cooperation and stability allows us to have a much greater sense of being able to reduce international consequences# Introduction to Cybersecurity Experts