Exploring the Middle East Cybersecurity Landscape – German Cyber-Systems at the Intelligent CISO Roundtable in Dubai
MY
On 14 October 2025, CEO Mercan Yildirim represented German Cyber-Systems at the prestigious Intelligent Discussions Cybersecurity Roundtable hosted at Voco Dubai by IHG.
The private, invitation-only gathering brought together senior cybersecurity leaders from across the GCC to discuss emerging threats, regulatory developments and strategic priorities shaping the digital future of the Middle East.
The official media announcement by Intelligent CISO can be found here:
Strengthening the Middle East’s Cyber Resilience
During a time when regional organisations face intensified nation-state operations, sophisticated cybercriminal ecosystems and rapidly evolving compliance frameworks, the Roundtable provided a strategic platform to exchange insights on modern defence strategies.
CEO Mercan Yildirim contributed expertise rooted in German law enforcement, mobile forensics, darknet investigations and cybercrime analysis — experience that positions German Cyber-Systems as one of the few firms offering law-enforcement-grade cybersecurity expertise to the GCC market.
Key Discussion Themes
1. Nation-State Attacks and Politically Driven Cyber Threats
The group discussed how Middle Eastern organisations and governments must adjust their cybersecurity strategies to counter increasingly complex geopolitical attacks.
CEO Yildirim emphasized the rising importance of intelligence-driven security operations and high-level threat modelling.
2. Recalibrating Cybersecurity Infrastructure for Digital Transformation
As GCC countries accelerate strategic digital initiatives, participants explored how organisations can build:
- more agile
- scalable
- business-aligned
cybersecurity infrastructures capable of withstanding modern threat actors.
3. Closing the Regional Cyber Talent Gap
A significant part of the discussion addressed the persistent shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals across the Middle East.
The Roundtable examined how governments, academic institutions and private-sector leaders can collaborate to develop specialised training and long-term talent pipelines.
4. Regulatory Shifts and Compliance Challenges
Participants shared insights into how evolving regulatory frameworks influence cybersecurity investments and infrastructure architecture.
CEO Yildirim highlighted the need for organisations to integrate security-by-design into their digital transformation strategies.
5. Combating Ransomware, Phishing & Widespread Threats
Ransomware remains one of the leading threats in the GCC.
The discussion included:
- proactive detection methods,
- strengthening incident response,
- improving recovery readiness,
- and executive-level cyber crisis preparation.
CEO Mercan Yildirim’s Contribution
As CEO of German Cyber-Systems, Mercan Yildirim provided insights drawn from her operational background in:
- mobile device forensics,
- darknet monitoring,
- cyber investigations,
- and incident response.
German Cyber-Systems — a Dubai-based company built on German precision and law-enforcement-grade expertise — supports Middle Eastern organisations with: - advanced threat intelligence,
- vulnerability analysis,
- secure infrastructure architecture,
- VIP & executive protection,
- and high-security smart-home solutions for HNWIs.
The company’s mission is to help leaders across the GCC transform cybersecurity into a strategic advantage that strengthens resilience, protects reputations and enables sustainable growth.
A Forward-Looking Cyber Vision for the GCC
The Intelligent CISO Roundtable highlighted a clear trend:
The Middle East is rapidly progressing toward a more mature and intelligence-driven cybersecurity landscape.
German Cyber-Systems is proud to contribute to this development by bringing German engineering quality, forensic expertise and modern security architecture to organisations across the GCC.
Conclusion
In conclusion, cybersecurity is an essential aspect of operating in today's digital world. By understanding the risks, implementing robust defenses, and fostering a culture of awareness, businesses and individuals can better protect themselves against the ever-evolving threat landscape.
Investing in cybersecurity is an investment in the future, ensuring that digital innovations can be embraced safely and securely.