Patch management was another focus, with panellists highlighting the danger of leaving software and systems unpatched. Delayed patching can expose organizations to vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can easily exploit. Automating patch management and conducting regular updates are essential to maintaining robust defenses in a fast-evolving threat landscape.
One of the key takeaways from the session was the need for collaboration, not just within organizations but also across industries. Cybersecurity can no longer be siloed within the IT department—it requires the combined efforts of IT, legal, compliance, and leadership teams. According to the panellists, fostering collaboration with external stakeholders, including regulators, industry peers, and vendors, is equally important to building security strategies capable of adapting to emerging risks. As Christian Reilly, Field CTO at Citrix, remarked, “Collaboration is essential for survival in today’s cyber landscape.”
Anas Mosa, Director of Information Technology at PIF Projects, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility across the entire organization. “Cybersecurity must be at the core of every organization. It’s not just our responsibility or the team’s responsibility—it’s a collective effort. We need to ensure open communication and alignment across departments to protect our organization,” Mosa said. He further noted that building a culture of cybersecurity is a key performance indicator (KPI) for leadership teams, reinforcing the idea that securing the organization is a cultural challenge as much as a technical one.
