NEWS
Survey reveals cybersecurity as key
challenge for Middle East
Cybersecurity has emerged as the top
challenge facing IT audit leaders and
professionals, according to the Protiviti and
ISACA IT audit survey. Protiviti, in partnership
with ISACA, a global association helping
individuals and enterprises in the IT audit/
assurance, governance, risk and information
security space, conducted the 8th Annual
IT Audit Benchmarking survey. This had
participation from 2,252 CAEs, IT audit
executives and professionals worldwide,
including more than 220 professionals from
the Middle East region, including the UAE.
Sanjay Rajagopalan, Managing Director,
Protiviti Member Firm, responsible for
Internal Audit and Financial Advisory
Services for the MENA region, said:
“Cybersecurity remains the number one
challenge to tackle with 80% of survey
participants from the Middle East indicating
that they are including cybersecurity and
privacy audits in their audit plan this year.
This is very much in line with the global
trend, as IT Audit cannot let its guard down
by merely conducting high-level ‘check-thebox’
audits. Detailed security assessments
are also required along with meaningful
recommendations for these audits to remain
relevant to the ever-changing environment”.
As per the survey, 62% of Middle East
respondents foresee a significant role for
IT audits in major technology projects
and 70% of the respondents from the
region said that their organisations assess
technology risk for audit planning purposes
as part of the overall internal audit risk
assessment process.
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GISEC postponed over Coronavirus concerns
GISEC has been postponed due to
concerns over Coronavirus. The event,
which was due to take place from April 6 to
April 8 at The World Trade Centre in Dubai,
has been postponed until September 1 to
September 3. A statement on the event’s
website said: “In light of the evolving global
developments around the COVID-19 virus,
Dubai World Trade Centre has been closely
monitoring the situation, particularly as
it pertains to our key stakeholders and
participating delegations from around the
world across all our upcoming shows.
“While the UAE remains completely safe for
travel, and has deployed the strictest medical
and hygiene protocols, we fully recognise
that for some specific shows, we have a high
majority of key participants significant to the
event’s programme that are unable to travel
due to restrictions in their home countries.
“As such, we have been working closely
to assure that our clients’ needs are most
effectively addressed, and the delivery of
strong international participation considered
in these extraordinary times.
“Our decision comes after much
deliberation in consultation with the
event’s main participants and industry
stakeholders, who have strongly endorsed
our prioritisation of the collective interests
of both the global exhibitors and the key
buyers from the region.
“With the event now rescheduled in
September 2020, GISEC shall facilitate
greater participation across our global
communities, enabling more inclusive
access for all.”
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