As part of their strategy to ensure the security of the UAE’s cyberspace the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) and the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERTae) in partnership with Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research (KUSTAR) announced the first ever ‘Black Hat Abu Dhabi’ (BHAD) Conference.

The Cyber Security conference will be held in May 2010 and is organized by Black Hat, the professional American security event provider based in Washington, USA.

Speaking at the press conference, Mr. Mohammed Gheyath, Executive Director Technology Development Affairs welcomed Black Hat and highlighted the importance of BHAD in providing IT and Electronic Security training.

Mr. Mohammed Gheyath, Executive Director Technology Development Affairs added: “We expect this conference to offer the same level of proficiency and excellence that Black Hat Conferences are renowned for, as they are regularly held in Barcelona, Las Vegas and Washington DC. Through our sponsorship of BHAD, we aim to facilitate the training courses, workshops and seminars to the UAE’s electronic services and IT users offering them the latest methods and data in electronic security as it has become a key element sought after by advanced nations.”

Dr Arif Sultan al Hammadi, KUSTAR’s Interim President commented: “This partnership with Black Hat will boost the MENA region’s technological capabilities in the infosec world. With KUSTAR’s solid commitment to research and technology and offering a Master’s Degree Program in Information Security, and Black Hat’s provision of top-level security events, BHAD 2010 will present professionals, academics and researchers cutting edge information on various security topics needed to build stronger IT and security platforms for the region.”

“Cyber security is increasingly seen as a top priority across the globe and we are delighted to see Abu Dhabi is taking the necessary steps to becoming a thought leader in security for the Middle East region,” said Jeff Moss, Founder of Black Hat.

Eng. Tariq Al Hawi, Director of aeCERT stressed the importance of BHAD as an annual event bringing world-class expertise in the IT and electronic security sector to the region for the first time from Abu Dhabi. The four day conference, sponsored by TRA and aeCERT in partnership with KUSTAR, will host extensive workshops over two days held by the most prominent names in the field of IT and electronic security.

The Black Hat Conference tour for 2010 will kick off in late January from Washington DC, to Barcelona in April, Abu Dhabi in May and finally Las Vegas in July.