As the world becomes increasingly connected and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven, governments are facing unprecedented cybersecurity challenges. During a high-level panel at GISEC 2025, moderated by Craig Jones, Immediate Past Director of Cybercrime at INTERPOL, senior government leaders from across the globe gathered to discuss their strategies for securing digital ecosystems over the next 12 months.
Representatives from countries including Greece, Cambodia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), China, and Nigeria shared how their nations are adapting to fast-evolving cyber threats.
From capacity-building programs to AI-specific regulations and regional strategy development, the leaders highlighted what it takes to build trust and resilience in an increasingly intelligent digital world.
Latest at GISEC 2025: Global Cybersecurity Leaders Unite to Strengthen National Governance
Greece’s Vision for Cyber Governance Centers on Demystifying AI and Elevating Policy
Yiannis Pavlosoglou, Vice Governor of Greece’s National Cybersecurity Authority, emphasized the urgent need for governments to evolve their strategies in the face of rapidly advancing technologies, particularly AI. Describing AI as an “unstoppable force,” he noted that the technology, much like past disruptions such as cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT), demands engagement from leadership at the highest levels.
Pavlosoglou stressed that even at a fundamental level, AI is already multidimensional and governments must work to demystify its implications.
“Communication is key,” he said, emphasizing the importance of ensuring policymakers and stakeholders clearly understand how emerging technologies intersect with national priorities. This includes revisiting and adapting existing national cybersecurity strategies to align with new realities.
He also highlighted the concept of regulatory intelligence, pointing to Greece’s proactive stance in integrating this within the European Union’s (EU) framework. “Only seven EU countries, including Greece, have met the timeline to incorporate regulatory intelligence into policy,” he noted. He acknowledged that Greece must continue to catch up with other member states in broader digital preparedness.
Calling for an open and pragmatic mindset, Pavlosoglou concluded, “We shouldn’t remain federal-agnostic. Let’s tackle the hard problems, listen to what needs to be done; just always with a pinch of salt.”
Cambodia Champions Awareness and Regional Cybersecurity Harmonization in the AI Era
Prof. Ou Phannarith, Director of the ICT Security Department at Cambodia’s Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPTC), emphasized a twofold approach to cybersecurity in the age of AI. “From Cambodia’s perspective, we’ve seen rapid evolution in AI, and we must respond accordingly,” he said. The first step entails building public awareness of how AI affects daily life, business operations, and the broader digital ecosystem. The second involves guiding national strategies, especially for policymakers, on how to address emerging cyber threats, including phishing, AI misuse, and digital vulnerabilities.
He underscored the importance of digital literacy and capacity building as fundamental components of Cambodia’s cybersecurity development. At the regional level, Prof. Phannarith revealed that ASEAN has begun drafting a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy in 2025, with hopes of adopting it by early 2026. This framework will outline shared cybersecurity visions and strategic goals for member states.
On the topic of harmonization, he acknowledged it remains challenging but achievable. He also noted the importance of documenting national commitments to international cybersecurity initiatives, ensuring that every member state actively contributes to a united digital defense front.
ASEAN’s current focus includes information sharing, actionable threat intelligence, and strengthening regional cyber exercises.
UAE Unites Innovation and Foresight to Fortify Cybersecurity in the Age of AI
In the UAE, cybersecurity leaders are proactively aligning national defenses with the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence. Nasser Matar Alneyadi, Head of the Information Security Department at the Ministry of Interior, emphasized the dual role AI plays in the current landscape, explaining that, “On one hand, we have attackers scaling threats using AI; on the other, we, in the public sector, are using AI to detect and prevent future attacks.”
Alneyadi noted that, even though AI is now a core element in cybersecurity operations, “If not handled properly, AI can backfire. The key is maintaining a balance between innovation and protection.” He stressed the importance of continuously updating AI tools and strategies across both the public and private sectors.
Abdulla Alsuwaidi, Director of Cybersecurity Planning and Performance at the Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC), echoed this forward-looking approach. He outlined how Dubai has been preparing for emerging technologies since launching its government service strategy in 2017. With AI and quantum technologies on the horizon, DESC has rolled out key initiatives to secure digital infrastructure. “In late 2024, we introduced an AI Security Policy,” Alsuwaidi said. “And just today, we released new quantum security guidelines.”
DESC’s strategy, updated in 2023, focuses on staying ahead over the next five years. Alsuwaidi emphasized that, while Dubai leads with innovation, it doesn't aim to reinvent the wheel. Instead, DESC aligns its policies with international frameworks like ISO and CSA, making it easier for global businesses to adapt to Dubai’s evolving digital ecosystem.
Together, these efforts reflect the UAE’s commitment to future proofing its cybersecurity posture by balancing rapid innovation with robust regulatory foresight.
China: Huawei Cloud’s Take on AI Security Involves Bridging Policy and Technology
Eagle Wan, Chief Security Expert of Enterprise Digitalization and Cloud Transformation at Huawei Cloud, shared insights into the evolving cybersecurity landscape from both government and technical perspectives. Reflecting on China’s journey, he noted that the country has spent the last eight years building a strong cybersecurity and data security framework. “In 2023, we released an AI cybersecurity guideline to help navigate the growing complexity of digital threats in AI-driven environments,” he explained.
Wan pointed to technologies like DeepSeek, an advanced AI model, which, while powerful, also introduces new attack surfaces, particularly in the form of high-volume traffic and behavioral manipulation.
“AI has its own usage scenarios, and each must be monitored carefully. The environment matters just as much as the model.”
From Huawei’s technical standpoint, the focus is not only on using AI for security but also on ensuring that AI itself is secure. “We must approach AI security holistically; across development, deployment, and governance,” he added.
Recognizing the global context, Wan emphasized that AI security cannot follow a one-size-fits-all model. “Different countries have different cultures and policies, and these must shape how AI security is implemented worldwide,” explained Wan.
Nigeria’s Proactive Approach to AI and Cybersecurity Governance
Dr. Ayodele Bakare, Assistant Director at Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), outlined Nigeria’s strides in cybersecurity strategy and governance. “Nigeria has made remarkable progress,” he shared, citing a score of 19.52 out of 20 under the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) for its policy and regulatory frameworks.
The country’s journey includes the 2015 Cybercrime Prevention Act, recently revised in 2024, alongside a robust national cybersecurity policy and initiatives catering to hygiene, data protection, and public key infrastructure (PKI).
As AI-driven cybersecurity risks rise, Nigeria is preparing on multiple fronts.
“We started with a National AI Strategy to address emerging threats and followed by proposing a dedicated Center for Cybersecurity Excellence,” Dr. Bakare noted. He also emphasized the importance of public engagement and awareness via social media and campaigns, as well as growing the nation’s pool of cybersecurity experts through education and capacity building.
On the regional front, he highlighted Africa’s need for a harmonized cybersecurity framework. “Cyber risks don’t recognize borders, so we must act collectively with adaptable and inclusive strategies,” he urged. A common regulatory intelligence protocol across Africa, he added, would enhance regional resilience and ensure consistent progress in a rapidly evolving digital era.
With priorities spanning policy harmonization, national talent development, AI security, and cross-border collaboration, the panel underscored a shared belief: effective cybersecurity governance must be proactive, inclusive, and globally aligned.
