Under patronage of HRH the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and Prime Minister, NCSC announces third edition of Arab International Cybersecurity Conference and Exhibition (AICS 2025)
Manama, July 22 (BNA): On Tuesday morning, a press conference was held to announce the launch of the third edition of the Arab International Cybersecurity Conference and Exhibition (AICS 2025), under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and Prime Minister. The event is scheduled to take place from November 5 to 6 at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre, officially organised by Faalyat, a leading company in international event management.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) will host the third edition of the conference and exhibition in collaboration with the global DEF CON conference, one of the most prominent and specialised cybersecurity conferences worldwide.
His Excellency Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Chief Executive Officer of the NCSC, expressed pride in hosting the third edition of AICS under the patronage of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, which reflects the Kingdom of Bahrain’s continued commitment to consolidating its position as a leading global centre in the field of cybersecurity.
HE emphasised that the partnership between the NCSC and DEF CON provides an opportunity for exchanging international expertise and establishing strategic partnerships, in addition to showcasing the latest solutions and technologies that play a pivotal role in enhancing cybersecurity readiness both regionally and internationally to address escalating and evolving cyber threats. HE also commended the ongoing cooperation with the official organising company, Faalyat, recognising its deep expertise in stakeholder engagement, strategic communications, and experiential design, which reflects a shared commitment to positioning Bahrain as a global leader in cybersecurity.
The CEO pointed out that the previous two editions achieved remarkable success in terms of participation numbers and the diversity and richness of training workshops and panel discussions led by distinguished cybersecurity experts from the region and worldwide, reflecting growing regional and international confidence in Bahrain’s ability to host and organise specialised international technology events. HE added that the third edition aligns with the NCSC’s vision to enable secure digital transformation, foster innovation, develop future defence mechanisms against rising cyber threats, and strengthen regional and international cooperation to enhance Bahrain’s cybersecurity ecosystem.
During the press conference, a partnership agreement was signed between the National Cyber Security Centre and the global DEF CON conference, announcing the regional launch of the specialised DEF CON Villages focusing on artificial intelligence, space, cloud security, and industrial control systems, alongside interactive Demo Labs offering innovative technical and practical experiences. This initiative aims to provide researchers, students, and startups with opportunities to showcase their innovations and projects before a global group of experts in an engaging environment.
Additionally, a cooperation agreement was signed between the NCSC and the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) to enhance efforts and collaboration in cybersecurity capacity building through specialised training programmes to prepare current and future national talents for the upcoming conference.
The press conference also announced the formation of DEF CON Group Bahrain, a community bringing together leading experts, students, and those interested in digital safety and cyber resilience, focusing on discussing key defensive cybersecurity practices within Bahrain.
It is expected that the third edition of AICS will attract over 10,000 participants from 50 countries to attend specialised panel discussions featuring more than 100 global cybersecurity experts. The event will also include international pavilions and youth empowerment programmes aimed at preparing the next generation of cybersecurity leaders through mentorship, training, and practical experience.
The conference will include DEF CON Villages and interactive Demo Labs presented by distinguished cybersecurity experts from around the world, technical workshops, and training programmes tailored to the needs of professionals and institutions. Furthermore, it will feature a Capture the Flag (CTF) competition and other exciting cybersecurity contests designed to showcase local and international cybersecurity skills and talents. The event will also host a technology exhibition displaying the latest global solutions and innovations.
