Intersec 2026 to focus on AI risk governance and cybersecurity strategy

Intersec 2026 to host InCyber Briefing on AI

Intersec has announced that the InCyber Briefing at Intersec 2026 in Dubai will focus on artificial intelligence governance and cyber resilience for senior security leaders.

The briefing will run as part of the 27th edition of Intersec, taking place from 12–14 January 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

According to Intersec, the programme is tailored for chief information security officers, cybersecurity strategists and digital risk leaders dealing with rapid technological change.

The event will address practical tools and real-world frameworks for AI governance, post-quantum readiness, supply chain resilience and cyber risk reporting.

Intersec noted that the UAE cybersecurity market is expanding from US$620 million in 2024 to a projected US$1.29 billion by 2030.

The company linked this growth to AI security analytics, Zero Trust architecture and government initiatives that are reshaping how organisations approach cyber defence.

UAE cybersecurity market growth and policy context

Intersec said ResearchAndMarkets data shows the UAE cybersecurity sector is growing at a compound annual growth rate of 12.8% until 2030.

The research attributes this expansion to national digital transformation programmes and rising cyber threats across public and private sectors.

According to the research, strong government backing for digital infrastructure has been a major driver of market demand.

Examples cited include the UAE National Cybersecurity Strategy and the creation of entities such as the Cybersecurity Council.

These initiatives are described as providing a policy and coordination framework that supports long-term investment in cyber capabilities.

Intersec positioned the InCyber Briefing within this context as a forum for examining how governance of emerging technologies such as AI is evolving in the UAE and beyond.

Village parable frames AI governance challenges

A keynote session by Luqman Kondeth, Director of Cybersecurity at New York University Abu Dhabi, will headline the InCyber Briefing.

Intersec stated that his session, titled “The Oracle in the System: A Village Parable for Governing AI”, will translate AI governance concepts into an accessible narrative.

Luqman Kondeth, Director of Cybersecurity at New York University Abu Dhabi, said: “In the story, the Village Head must keep his people alive through uncertainty, balancing resources, risk, and innovation.

“When he introduces an Oracle, a brilliant but unpredictable tool, he faces the same dilemma we face with AI: how to benefit from its intelligence without surrendering judgment.

“By watching how the Head sets rules, validates predictions, and keeps humans in the loop, audiences see governance not as compliance paperwork, but as collective wisdom made systematic,”

Intersec indicated that the keynote will focus on how leaders can set boundaries for AI systems while maintaining human oversight.

Addressing concerns around AI predictions and hallucinations, Kondeth is expected to emphasise the role of governance in clarifying accountability.

Kondeth said: “We must build systems, or ‘three lines of defence’: operations teams who test AI in controlled conditions, risk and compliance teams who measure accuracy and bias, and internal auditors who verify the rules were followed.”

Future-facing view of AI governance practice

Intersec reported that Kondeth will also outline how AI governance could operate inside organisations over the coming years.

Kondeth added: “AI governance needs to be continuous, integrated, and human-centred.

“We’re moving toward AI control rooms that constantly monitor model behaviour, supported by ongoing risk assessments rather than periodic reviews.

“Because AI will operate as both a tool and a service across the enterprise, close alignment with Enterprise Architecture is essential.

“Ultimately, governance must remain adaptive – measuring not just performance, but trust, accountability, and societal impact,”

Intersec linked this perspective to wider discussions at the briefing on embedding AI oversight into design and decision-making pipelines.

The event will examine how control mechanisms can be built into enterprise processes, rather than handled through occasional audits alone.

Briefing content to cover post-quantum and crisis simulation

According to Intersec, the InCyber Briefing will run as a one-day stream within the wider exhibition.

The session programme will address AI, post-quantum readiness, data sovereignty and crisis simulation.

Intersec stated that the goal is to provide leaders with practical frameworks they can use to assess and manage digital risk.

The agenda will also examine supply chain resilience and the reporting of cyber risk at board and executive level.

Intersec indicated that the content is designed to connect strategic governance with operational practice for those overseeing complex digital environments.

Kearney roundtable to examine national infrastructure cyber defence

In addition to the InCyber Briefing, Intersec confirmed that management consulting firm Kearney will host a closed-door roundtable during the event.

The session is titled “Defending the Digital Backbone: Securing National Infrastructure in the Era of AI and Hybrid Threats.”

Intersec said the roundtable will focus on how governments can move from reactive defence to more proactive, intelligence-driven resilience.

The discussion will look at ways to integrate policy, technology and collaboration across ecosystems to protect critical assets.

Kearney will produce a white paper based on the roundtable, outlining key points from the session for use by public and private stakeholders.

Intersec 2026 set to be largest edition

Intersec stated that the 2026 edition will feature more than 1,400 exhibitors from over 60 countries.

Visitor numbers are expected to reach 50,000, making it the largest Intersec edition to date.

The event will span 67,000 sqm of exhibition space at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Intersec confirmed that the show will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The event is supported by the General Command of Dubai Civil Defense and the Security Industry Regulatory Agency.

Dishan Isaac, Show Director of Intersec at Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “AI, automation, and digitisation are reshaping the cybersecurity landscape.

“The InCyber Briefing equips decision-makers with the foresight, frameworks, and leadership strategies needed to govern AI ethically and effectively while securing their organisations against emerging threats.”

AI governance and cyber resilience for safety-critical sectors

The InCyber Briefing at Intersec 2026 brings together content on AI governance, post-quantum readiness and crisis simulation that is directly relevant to leaders managing safety-critical operations.

For emergency and disaster response managers, the focus on crisis simulation provides insight into how cyber incidents are being modelled alongside wider organisational risks.

For government departments and policy teams, the Kearney roundtable and follow-up white paper could inform discussions on how to harden national infrastructure against hybrid threats that combine digital and physical pressure points.

For facility managers across industrial, commercial and public sectors, the emphasis on supply chain resilience and cyber risk reporting offers examples of how digital oversight is being integrated into operational risk management.

For mechanical and electrical engineers and fire engineering consultants involved in connected building systems, the attention given to AI control rooms and continuous monitoring shows how cybersecurity responsibilities are being embedded into ongoing system design and maintenance.