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· Exclusive event in Manama gives customers access to IT security experts from GBM, Cisco and IBM
Manama, Bahrain - Gulf Business Machines (GBM), the region's number one provider of IT solutions, has revealed at an exclusive event for Bahrain's business community, that nearly 50 per cent of the GCC's executives lack confidence in their organizations having the right tools to predict and prevent cyber-attacks.
The statistic was among a range of figures revealed at a GBM-hosted IT security event at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay. The event brought industry-leading experts from Cisco and IBM together with customers to highlight the importance of best practice in securing data across the Kingdom. Held under the theme of "How Can We Predict Cyber-Attacks?" the event gave customers and IT experts the opportunity to discuss their views about security and highlight what organizations need to do to prevent cyber-attacks.
GBM's findings at the event outlined that despite a frequency of cyber-attacks, corporate investment in IT security is expected to decrease this year. 71 per cent of GCC executives confirmed that their IT security budgets will either stay the same or decrease in 2016. Meanwhile, of the 700 executives polled in the GCC, 48 per cent of respondents said that their organizations conduct regular third-party security assessments, while only 40 per cent of organizations have a dedicated IT governance, risk and compliance function.
"Today's event was an excellent opportunity to highlight the risks organizations in Bahrain still face from cyber-attacks. While there is a certain level of awareness, not enough is being done to focus on predictive security, so it is a pleasure for GBM to facilitate the necessary knowledge sharing between industry-leading experts from our network, Cisco, IBM and our customers," said Abdulla Ishaq, Country General Manager, GBM Bahrain.
Hani Nofal, Vice President of Integrated Network Solutions (INS) Mobility & Security said: "Our event in Bahrain has provided insight that a proactive approach towards cyber-security can save significant amounts of money for our customers in the long-run. The learnings from our survey and today's panel discussion with experts of IBM and Cisco, allows us to offer customers best practices on how to develop a holistic security model, and gain continuous protection and visibility along their entire security journey."
The annual GBM Security Whitepaper, now in its fifth year, polled over 700 executives and IT professionals based in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait. Visit gbmme.com/wps/portal/gbm/gisec2016/ for more findings in the GBM Security Whitepaper.
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About Gulf Business Machines (GBM)
Founded and operating in the region since 1990, GBM is the number one provider of IT solutions, leveraging industry leading technologies to drive real business results for clients. GBM is the sole distributor for IBM - excluding selected IBM products and services - throughout the GCC, apart from Saudi Arabia. GBM's momentum was further enhanced in 1999, when the company secured the Cisco portfolio.
GBM offers an extensive range of IT infrastructure, solutions and services ranging from consulting, resource deployment and integration to after-sales support. The company has offices in the UAE (Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah), Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and Pakistan.
Continuously recognized by its international partners, this year GBM has been awarded as IBM's Top Business Partner, Cisco's Middle East Partner of the Year, and Channel Customer Satisfaction Excellence, the highest distinction a partner can achieve within the Cisco Channel Partner Program.
For more information please visit www.gbmme.com
For further information, please contact:
Corporate Communications
Gulf Business Machines
Tel: +973 17584333
Email: communications@gbmme.com
Weber Shandwick
Tel: +971 4 445 2245
Email: gbm@webershandwick.com
© Press Release 2016
