UAE to host prestigious gathering of leading global Information Technology security standards body

• The Emirates Authority for Standardisation & Metrology, the National Electronic Security Authority (NESA), and DarkMatter to welcome ISO SC 27 members to Abu Dhabi
• More than 350 international experts expected to partake in bi-annual meeting to discuss and advance IT security standards

Abu Dhabi and Dubai, UAE 22 October, 2016:  DarkMatter, an international cyber security firm headquartered in the UAE, through the endorsement and support of the Emirates Authority for Standardisation & Metrology (ESMA), and the UAE’s National Electronic Security Authority (NESA), is set to host the next scheduled meeting of the global Information Technology (IT) security standards body, the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) Subcommittee (SC) 27, in Abu Dhabi, UAE. 

ISO/IEC Joint Technical Committee (JTC) 1 SC 27 is an internationally recognised centre of information and IT security standards expertise, serving the needs of business sectors as well as governments. Its work covers the development of standards for the protection of information and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), and the body convenes twice annually to review and advance standardisation issues. 

The meeting in Abu Dhabi is set to take place from 22 – 29 October, 2016, and will mark the first time an ISO/IEC JTC 1 SC 27 meeting has convened in the Middle East. A working group of up to 350 international experts are expected in Abu Dhabi to address issues related to privacy and information security standards. 

Under the umbrella of ISO and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the ISO/IEC JTC 1 SC 27’s chief mandate is to develop reports and technical specifications ranging from cryptographic mechanisms to ICT management; identity management; biometrics and conformance assessment. 

It is a significant vote of confidence in the UAE’s efforts to proactively manage its IT and cyber environments that the working group’s latest meeting is being held in the country.

Commenting on the upcoming meeting, Faisal Al Bannai, DarkMatter’s Chief Executive Officer said, “As a UAE-based cyber security firm, DarkMatter, together with ESMA and NESA, welcomes members of the working group SC 27 to the UAE. Protecting the future of our nation and all parties who work and live here is our overarching ambition, and securing cyber space and digital environments is a key element in achieving a prosperous future.” 

Faisal Al Bannai continued, “While there is significant momentum about the UAE’s Smart City initiatives, standards from the IT era need to be urgently updated to the Internet of Things era. We believe the UAE government has the vision to set world-class Smart City standards and share them globally - protecting all stakeholders.”

The meetings of the ISO/IEC JTC 1 SC 27 will include the presence of 52 voting members and 18 observing members of ISO, developing a deeper understanding of global IT security challenges as well as discussing cutting-edge solutions.

SC 27’s previous work includes developing requirements, methods, techniques and guidelines to address aspects of both security and privacy in regard to: 

• Information security management systems 
• Cryptographic and security mechanisms 
• Security evaluation, testing and specification 
• Security controls and services 
• Identity management and privacy technologies 

Harshul Joshi, DarkMatter’s Senior Vice President of Cyber Governance, Risk & Compliance, and Global Standards Editor for SC 27 said, “During our week-long session, we aim to advance the global cyber security cause in a bid to further enhance our ability to protect information and encourage responsible business practices across industries.” 

Harshul Joshi continued, “I would like to thank ISO SC 27 for offering us the opportunity to host them in the UAE, a first for the region. IT and cyber security is a global issue, and the proliferation of new gaps, threats and risks means that information-sharing has never been more important. ESMA, NESA and DarkMatter are active in backing ISO’s activities in a bid to develop ever more robust defences to IT and cyber threats and mitigate the loss of life, security, funds or productivity of nations, enterprise, and individuals.”