Tariq Halawani’s extensive experience in the technology industry, particularly his tenure at Microsoft, positions him as a leading figure in the Middle East’s technology landscape. With a career spanning roles at prominent companies like Trend Micro and Nortel, Halawani has amassed a wealth of knowledge and expertise in cybersecurity and cloud computing.In his current role as Executive Director of Enterprise Solutions at Microsoft UAE, Halawani continues to drive innovation and empower organizations with cutting-edge technologies. At events like GISEC 2024, he sheds light on Microsoft’s latest offerings, such as Copilot for Security, which exemplifies the company’s commitment to leveraging AI to enhance cybersecurity defense mechanisms.

Halawani emphasizes the importance of AI, particularly Generative AI, in addressing the evolving threat landscape, where the volume and complexity of cyber threats have surpassed the capabilities of traditional cybersecurity approaches. Copilot for Security serves as a virtual assistant for cybersecurity professionals, leveraging AI models like GPT4 to analyze vast amounts of threat data and provide actionable insights in real-time.Microsoft’s Copilot for Security harnesses the power of AI and massive computing capabilities to process over 65 trillion threat signals daily, offering organizations unparalleled visibility and protection against cyber threats. By integrating AI-driven solutions into cybersecurity operations, Halawani envisions a future where organizations can effectively combat threats at scale and stay ahead of emerging security challenges.

Tariq Halawani, Executive Director of Enterprise Solutions at Microsoft UAE, highlights the democratizing impact of Microsoft’s Copilot for Security in the realm of AI technology. By facilitating natural language interaction and eliminating the requirement for coding skills, Copilot for Security empowers cybersecurity professionals to harness AI capabilities effectively. This accessibility ensures that individuals with varying levels of technical expertise can leverage advanced AI tools to enhance cybersecurity practices. As a result, Copilot for Security plays a pivotal role in bridging the skills gap within the cybersecurity industry, enabling a broader range of professionals to leverage cutting-edge technologies in their defense against cyber threats.

Acknowledging the persistent challenge of the skills gap in cybersecurity, Halawani underscores Microsoft’s commitment to addressing this issue through enablement programs for customers and partners. These programs aim to educate cybersecurity professionals on leveraging AI for addressing security challenges effectively. Moreover, Microsoft prioritizes intuitive design in its products to make them more accessible and provide actionable insights to users.As AI adoption proliferates, responsible AI practices become paramount. Microsoft collaborates with policymakers and regulators, particularly in the UAE, to establish ethical AI frameworks and guidelines. This ensures that AI adoption aligns with safety, compliance, and ethical considerations, especially in sensitive sectors like healthcare and finance.

Halawani also emphasizes Microsoft’s commitment to data privacy, ensuring that customer data remains confidential and is not used for purposes like advertising or training public AI models. Microsoft adheres to stringent data privacy principles to maintain customer trust and integrity.In terms of emerging security threats, Halawani highlights the increasing prevalence of identity attacks, particularly leveraging AI capabilities. Deep fakes pose a significant challenge, as cybercriminals exploit AI-driven content generation to deceive and manipulate individuals and organizations. Halawani underscores the urgency of addressing these threats and implementing robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard against evolving risks in the digital landscape.