GISEC Global 2026 draws 130-plus countries to Dubai and sets up quantum-focused 2027 event

GISEC Global 2026 ended in Dubai after three days focused on AI, digital sovereignty, critical infrastructure and quantum-era security, with thousands of visitors from more than 130 countries. The event also unveiled new partnerships, talent initiatives and the launch of Global Quantum X for 2027.

Why it matters: - GISEC Global 2026 brought governments, cyber authorities, global CISOs, technology leaders and emerging talent into one venue as cyber risks become more cross-border and more tied to AI, sovereignty and critical infrastructure. - The event also signaled where the market is heading next, with a new quantum-focused conference planned for 2027 alongside GISEC Global.

What happened: - GISEC Global 2026 concluded its 15th edition after three days at Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai. - The event welcomed thousands of visitors from more than 130 countries. - More than 750 cybersecurity brands exhibited, and more than 350 speakers took part. - The 2026 edition was held for the first time at Dubai Exhibition Centre. - The event ran from 16–18 September 2026. - The 2026 theme was “Cyber First: The New Digital Order.”

The details: - Sessions focused on artificial intelligence, digital sovereignty, nation-state threats, critical infrastructure security and quantum technologies. - The inaugural Cyber First Leadership Summit brought together ministers, national cyber authorities, global CISOs and technology leaders. - The summit examined the geopolitical and economic impact of a more contested digital environment. - The Global Leaders Series included an invitation-only Global Leadership Roundtable with H.E. Dr Mohamed Al Kuwaiti and senior cybersecurity leaders from Visa, Schneider Electric and Under Armour. - The roundtable focused on AI sovereignty and protection of the US$28 trillion digital economy. - Exhibitors, government partners and technology companies announced partnerships and initiatives covering threat intelligence, workforce development, secure AI adoption and national cyber resilience. - H.E. Dr Mohamed Al Kuwaiti said international cooperation is essential to resilient digital economies and said the UAE remains committed to advancing that dialogue. - Trixie LohMirmand said Dubai and the UAE are a global nexus for tech collaboration and said Global Quantum X will join GISEC Global in May 2027. - GISEC Global will return to Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai, from 4–6 May 2027.

Between the lines: - The event’s scale and international turnout reinforce Dubai’s role as a regional hub for cybersecurity business, policy dialogue and partnership-building. - The addition of Global Quantum X suggests organizers want to extend the event’s relevance beyond current cyber defense into post-quantum and next-generation security planning. - The mix of government announcements, talent programs and private-sector launches shows cybersecurity is being treated as both a national-security issue and a workforce-development issue.

What's next: - The UAE Cyber Security Council and Group-IB will work on threat intelligence exchange, incident response, cybersecurity capacity building and a joint Innovation Center of Excellence in the UAE. - Microsoft, CPX and the UAE Cyber Security Council will expand the second cohort of “She Protects” to more than 150 university students and recent graduates across the UAE. - The program will add security certification training, threat education, immersive cyber simulations and career-readiness support. - Huawei Cloud’s MaaS Security Whitepaper will guide secure large-scale enterprise AI adoption through a shared-responsibility model. - DESC’s Dubai Cyber Challenge Government Edition and School of Cyber Defence will continue building government and student cyber talent. - GQX will launch in 2027 and focus on quantum computing, quantum-secured communications and next-generation sensing.

The bottom line: - GISEC Global 2026 was both a cybersecurity summit and a preview of the next era of digital risk, with AI, quantum readiness and cross-border resilience now central to the agenda.