in Celebration of Cybersecurity Awareness Month and in Support of the "Diraya" Campaign

In recognition of Cybersecurity Awareness Month and in alignment with the nationwide Diraya campaign led by the Central Bank of Kuwait, Gulf Bank hosted a comprehensive cybersecurity awareness event at the Four Seasons Hotel, Under the slogan “Cybersecurity Starts with You” reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding both customers and employees in an era of rapidly evolving digital threats.

Organized by Gulf Bank’s Cybersecurity Team, the event gathered remarkable crowd of enthusiastic employees, including members of the Leadership Team, in the presence of Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Sami Mahfouz. The two-and-a-half-hour session underscored the Bank’s ongoing efforts to foster a security-conscious culture and strengthen resilience across all levels of the organization.

The event commenced with opening remarks from Mr. Ross McNaughton, Chief Information Security Officer at Gulf Bank, who emphasized the Bank’s unwavering commitment to protecting customer information and maintaining trust in an increasingly digital banking environment.

“Cybersecurity is not merely an IT function. It is an organizational mindset,” said Mr. McNaughton. “As fraud and phishing techniques evolve at an unprecedented pace, particularly with the advent of artificial intelligence, our collective awareness becomes the most powerful tool of defense.”

Head of Gulf Bank Information Security Governance and Awareness, Ms. Fatemah AlHazeem moderated six expert-led sessions delivered by internationally recognized cybersecurity specialists, each addressing a critical aspect of the evolving threat landscape and innovative approaches to defense.

Ms. Marwa Gharbi from YesWeHack discussed how bug bounty programs enhance cyber resilience, while Mr. Jona Kulenovic of Axon Digital Cyber Fraud explored current regional threats and trends in cyber fraud. Mr. Russ Dickerson and Mr. Jamie Gee from ACE Gallagher Insurance shared valuable insights on how cyber insurers are assessing and responding to regional cyber risks. Mr. Gergő Osvald of Quadron Cybersecurity shed light on advancements in security testing and the detection of regional vulnerabilities.

The event concluded with an insightful fireside discussion featuring Dr. Reem AlShammari, Global Thought Leader in Cybersecurity and Digital Transformation within the Energy Sector, and Chairperson and Co-Founder of Women in CyberSecurity Middle East (WiCSME). Dr. AlShammari emphasized the importance of continuous education, cross-sector collaboration, and heightened vigilance to effectively mitigate emerging cyber risks.

A central theme throughout the sessions was the advancement of AI-driven phishing and fraud attacks, where criminals leverage deepfake technology, synthetic voices, and manipulated visuals to deceive individuals and organizations. Presenters showcased real-world examples of these sophisticated techniques and provided actionable strategies for detecting and preventing such threats.

The discussions also highlighted the dual nature of artificial intelligence—as both a source of risk and a powerful ally. While AI is being exploited to enhance fraudulent activity, it is also enabling financial institutions to detect anomalies, predict vulnerabilities, and respond to threats with greater speed and accuracy. Experts noted it is no longer an aspirational goal to use AI, but key to maintaining a baseline of Operational and Cyber resilience in the modern financial industry.

“Our objective extends beyond technical preparedness,” added Mr. McNaughton. “Through events like this, we aim to raise awareness among both employees and customers, ensuring that cybersecurity becomes a shared responsibility across the entire Gulf Bank ecosystem.”

This initiative reinforces Gulf Bank’s active participation in the Diraya campaign, which seeks to enhance financial and cybersecurity literacy among individuals and organizations in Kuwait. By aligning with this national effort, Gulf Bank continues to play a leading role in promoting responsible digital behavior and protecting the community from emerging cyber risks.

The event concluded with a strong call to action for all employees to remain vigilant, think critically, and continue raising awareness among customers and peers, ensuring that Gulf Bank remains a model of excellence in cybersecurity readiness and digital safety.