Stephen Hibbert, GC of Qatar Rail, says that his role for monitoring and implementing cybersecurity has increased notably. “Qatar Rail was established in 2011,” he says, “and is considered a new industry in Qatar and the surrounding area.
Nevertheless, there is a potential risk for every business. Our technology record would show that in the last 18 months we’ve gone up another level of cyber protection. There has been a heightened awareness in our organisation and across government in Qatar.”
In the UAE, the Middle East-based GC adds: “General counsel here are seeing trends in how data subjects expect their data to be handled, and the direction of governance trends in their home countries – particularly if they are from the EU or North America. They’re trying to bring those strategic themes into the day to day operations of the businesses that they advise.” Beckett agrees: “Our clients have traditionally contacted us to help them address cyber crime, cyber enabled crime or leaks of information across the region. These days they are increasingly asking about cyber defence and for advice on preparing for GDPR compliance in relation to the data they hold on European operations or relating to European citizens.”