Within its 2017 program of organizing a series of seminars and workshops for public and private companies in Abu Dhabi and the UAE, the Abu Dhabi Center for Corporate Governance has organized a seminar on “Governance of Information Security” at the Chamber’s Tower in Abu Dhabi.

His Excellency Mohammed Helal Al-Muhairi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Chamber, pointed to the increasing interest of companies in the UAE to apply governance programs since they would help them increasing their efficiency, productivity and profits as well as their positive contribution to the sustainable economic development process in the country.

Mr. Azhar Zia-ur-Rehman, an international expert in IT governance, lectured the attendance on the negative sides of the absence of Governance of Information Security in companies and the international rule and regulations of governance which is related to information security as well as the features of securing the company’s information.

Mr. Rehman said that it is very important to focus on Information security not only cyber security, explaining that data breach is not just a problem in information technology but a key issue in the way companies deal with the technology. He added that many companies do not realize the threats technology brings to their businesses and customers’ data, pointing out that when such data and information are compromised the ramifications will be dire including damages to their reputation.

The lecturer proposed a roadmap for an effective information security, including the establishment of an IT committee the reports to the Board of Directors and computerizing corporate governance as well as appointing an Information Security Officer. Rehamn pointed out that cyber security is a threat but the real issue is information security, noting that cyber security is just one aspect of information security which needs to be governed through automation of Corporate Governance & IT Governance.