“A valuable opportunity” – Senior professionals reflect on the 2023 ISJ Leaders in Security Conference

Senior security professionals have recently commented on the success of the ISJ Leaders in Security Conference 2023, which took place at the Grosvenor Hotel, Dubai Marina, UAE on 10 May.

John Cowling, Conference Chair and District Security Manager Middle East & CIS, Caterpillar, and Yacine Benamane, Security Manager, Unilever North Africa & Middle East, praised the opportunities to discuss key trends shaping security in the MENA region and how the forum enables senior leaders to truly reflect on their strategies and leadership styles.

“Reflecting on another ISJ Leaders in Security Conference hosted by International Security Journal, I am pleased to witness how our industry leaders continue to share their knowledge and experiences with the aim of improving our global society in a safe and secure manner whilst respecting ethical and moral principles including diversity, inclusion and equity,” commented Cowling.

“Over the years, I have seen the long term benefits of being involved in ISJ events and the publication, becoming more apparent to our industry professionals, large and small, newly joined as well as those more experienced.

“I am sure that as our career journey progresses, that many of us will continue and expand our personal and professional interaction with likeminded security professionals at other ISJ hosted events.

“It was an honour to be this year’s Conference Chair and witness the passion and dedication that speakers, panel members and participants demonstrated; I encourage all of you to join me once again at next year’s ISJ Leaders in Security events.”

“The 2023 version of the ISJ Leaders in Security Conference didn’t hold back on its promise to bring together leading figures from the Middle East & North Africa’s security industry to deliver a high class event, addressing regional threat landscapes, business security strategies and latest trends and innovations from the region,” added Benamane.

“While many conference’s attendees were familiar with the ISJ concept, several were pleasantly surprised by the depth and diversity of topics and the vast array of learning and networking opportunities which make this in-person experience invaluable.

“The world seems to be trapped in “permacrisis” that stretches beyond the pandemic, climate change; as a risk management professional, I’m responsible to advise corporations on real business security challenges and I’m mandated to attend such events to explore practical and cost effective solutions.”

Benamane continued: “The event provided me with a valuable opportunity to check my risk management approach by reconnecting with industry colleagues and vendors, but also meeting new faces, exchanging ideas and knowledge and gaining insights into the latest trends and best practices in various security fields.

“As we look ahead to a year of continued uncertainty, organisations across the region face a multitude of social, economic and health-related threats.

“Adopting a proactive risk management approach and building resilience ahead of the curve to mitigate risk and, subsequently, be better prepared to take advantage of the opportunities is a fundamental social, economic and business continuity imperative and this is what the conference promoted.”

Find out more about the ISJ Leaders in Security Conference here.