Wessam Maher

Chief Information Security and Risk Officer at The American University in Cairo, Egypt

Session Title: Empowering Cyber Resilient Organizations and CISOs: Forging a Sustainable Strategy and Architecture Beyond Compliance

Compliance isn't enough to keep organizations safe from threats in today's fast-changing cyber world. We need a strong cyber-resilient program and architecture that goes beyond basic requirements and offers long-lasting protection. This presentation focuses on achieving mature cybersecurity by moving past compliance. We'll explore many prioritization/gap analysis techniques and smart strategies that empower organizations to stay ahead of emerging threats. As a CISO, you will hear about what makes a CISO successful. Join us on this journey to discover the keys to building a strong and adaptable cybersecurity program that can handle any challenge that comes it's way.

-Wessam is a distinguished CISO, CTO, Cybersecurity, and Business Resilience expert. He holds a bachelor's degree in computer engineering from Egypt and is an EMBA Candidate from Quantic, USA. Additionally, he possesses numerous international governance and tech certificates/accreditations.
-Wessam has garnered recognition as a Top 10 Information Security Professional worldwide in 2022 by OnCon, Arab CISO of the Year 2021 by ASC, and Finalist for IDC Egypt CISO of the Year in 2022. Throughout his career, he has worked with multinational and international organizations.
-Wessam is a renowned thought leader, public speaker, and panelist in Egypt, the Middle East, and Africa. He has been invited to speak at prestigious events such as GITEX Africa, Arab Security Conference, IDC, GRC Summit Egypt, CAISEC, Cairo Security Camp, Techne, THE Digital MENA, and ISACA Netherlands Chapter.
-Wessam serves as a CISO, ex-CTO, board advisor, and consultant with extensive experience managing award-winning cybersecurity programs, multimillion-dollar budgets, and teams comprising 100+ employees.
-Wessam actively engages in non-profit activities, holding positions such as ISACA Cairo Chapter Board Secretary & Communication Director. He has also provided consultancy services for the Egyptian Red Crescent and contributed to the cybersecurity curriculum of the Egyptian Ministry of Education. Additionally, Wessam conducts awareness sessions and actively shares insights on social media.
-Wessam possesses the experience and skill to effectively communicate with boards, earning their confidence by translating cyber risks into business language. His independent strategic mindset and analytical insights enable him to address risks and guide the board in setting risk appetite at the opportune time.

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