The Third Inter-regional Conference on Innovation and Cybersecurity in Civil Aviation

Casablanca, Morocco, hosts the Third Regional Conference on Innovation and Cybersecurity in Civil Aviation from July 17 to 19, 2024.

This conference is jointly organized by the Arab Civil Aviation Organization (ACAO), the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC), and the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), aimed at enhancing cooperation and knowledge exchange in aviation among Arab, European, and African countries.

The event brings together over 130 participants from 50 African and Arab countries, international and regional organizations, and industry. Experts and specialists in aviation and cybersecurity gather to discuss the latest developments and challenges related to innovation and technology. The conference provides a unique opportunity for participants to exchange ideas and best practises on enhancing cybersecurity and protecting the vital infrastructure of civil aviation from cyber threats.

The conference program includes several sessions focusing on topics such as:

Addressing current and future threats to civil aviation through technology.
Challenges facing airports in implementing technological innovations and smart aviation security systems.
Encouraging collaboration among governments, industry, and researchers to enhance innovation in aviation security.
Cybersecurity in airport-connected systems, airlines, and air navigation services systems.
Initiatives, programs, and activities to build human capacity in understanding modern technologies, innovations, and measures to mitigate cybersecurity threats.

This conference reflects the commitment of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization and its international and regional partners to enhance innovation and develop effective cybersecurity risk control strategies, contributing to improving the efficiency and security of civil aviation in the region.

Casablanca, Morocco
Wednesday 17 July 2024

Speakers

Our Schedule

On-site Registration & Welcome of Participants

Opening Ceremony

Master Ceremony :

Ms. Habiba Birouk, Aviation Security Expert and Lawyer in Civil Aviation Affairs

Opening Ceremony

Ms. Safae Raddaf, Head of Department, DGAC
Ms. Hanan Achehboun, CASE II Project Manager - ECAC
Mr. Jamel Dridi, Aviation Security and Facilitation Expert- AFCAC
Mr. Abedennebi Manar, General Director of ACAO

Coffee Break (Photo Group)

Session 1 : Tackilng existing, emerging and futur threats to civil aviation through Technologies.

In this session, The Speakers will discuss current, emerging and future threats to civil aviation, including topics such a terrorism.

Additionally, they will provide valuable insights into the vital role of new technology playing to ensure security at airports at a time when new vulnerabilities are emerging with the merger of cyber and physical threats.

Moderator :

Ms. Habiba Birouk, Aviation Security Expert and Lawyer in Civil Aviation Affairs - Morocco

Speakers/Panelists :

Mr. Adnane AlGhamdi, Advisor to the Executive Vice President for Aviation Security of Genaral Aviation Civil Authority- Saudi Arabia
Mr. Said El Hor, Head of Aviation Security Department at Casablanca/Mohammed V Airport - Morocco
Eng. Nana Baffoe ABBAM, an Air Traffic Safety Engineer with the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority Ghana- AFCAC
Mr. Hany Bakr, Senior Vice President Aviation & Maritime Security - MedAire International
General. George Nader, Aviation Security and Facilitation Expert- Directorate General of Civil Aviation – Lebanon

Lunch Break

Session 2: Security of the Future - passenger and Airport infrastrctures

This session will examine the keys and challenges for airport to implement a technological innovation and implement a smart aviation security systems.

Also, the expert will discuss innovative passenger processing and Airport infrastrctures.

Moderator :

Mr. Adnane AlGhamdi, Advisor to the Executive Vice President for Aviation Security of Genaral Aviation Civil Authority- Saudi Arabia

Speakers/Panelists :

Mr. Khasif khaled, Regional Director - Africa & Middle East Operations, Safety & Security - IATA
Mr. Amine MEJRI, Aviation Security Manager- WESTMINSTER Plc
Mr. Debebe Girma Demissie, Director Security and Facilitation, Civil Aviation Authority - Ethiopie
Mr. Hamza Mechiche Alami, Business Development Director & Partnership – ALOMRA

Recap of day 1 & Follow-up questions

Session 3 : Encouraging Innovative exchange solutions

In this session, the experts will discuss how to encourage cooperation among governments, industry, researchers regarding the promotion of innovation in Aviation Security.

Moderator :

Mr. Amine MEJRI, Advisor WESTMINSTER PLC

Speakers/Panelists :

Mr. WEN Yuqiao, Solution Manager - Nuctech Company Limited
Mr. Salah Soualhi, Director Key Accounts, Smith Detection
Mr. Adou Xianjun, General Director Enterprise Business Group -Huawei

Coffee Break

Session 4: Civil Aviation and Cybersecurity : Threats, Risks and Challenges

This session will discuss the cyber threat, and analyze possible targets and risks involved, and consider how cooperation can help establish a holistic strategy of defense, prevention and response.

Moderator :

Mr. Khasif khaled, Regional Director - Africa & Middle East Operations, Safety & Security - IATA

Speakers/Panelists :

Mr. Khalil Nossair, Director of Assistance, Training, Control and Expertise at the Moroccan General Directorate of Information System Security (DGSSI). The Administration of National Defense (ADN)
Ms. Marion Buchet, Head of CERT - DGAC Frensh
Eng. Meshari Saad Alotaibi, Director of Cybersecurity Operation- GACA - Arabi Saudia
Mr. Shaun Southall, Senior Cyber Security Oversight Specialist, Civil Aviation Authority – UK
Dr. Cherqi Othmane, International University of Rabat
Mr. Christophe Grenier, CTO of Huawei Center Solution- Huawei

Lunch Break

Session 5: Cybersecurity in connected system for Airports, Airlines, Air Navigation Systems and services providers:

The aviation industry is embracing a connected environment by digitizing its operations. This session will discuss the ways to implement a Risk Mitigation for Airlines, Passengers, Airports, and Service Providers

Alos, this session will discuss the ways making aviation systems/services progressively more and more cyber-resilient, flexible and sustainable while remaining safe and cost-efficient.

Moderator :

Mr. Bennani Hicham, Safety & Air navigation Expert - ACAO

Speakers/Panelists :

Mr. Chougdali Sallami- ANS Provider
Mr. Ahmed Mahmoud Fahmy- CAA of Egypt
Ms. Layla Bromley, CAA Cyber Security Policy Specialist – UK
Mr. Salim Mihraj- COE Nearsecure
Mr. Mehdi Jrad, Director Cybersecurity and Information Systems Security in Tunisian Civil Aviation AuthorityAiport - Tunis

Session 6 : Debate about challenges faced in the implementation of technological innovation and cybersecurity challenges – all participants

Coffee Break

Session 7: Building and Sustaining an Aviation Security Human Resources for the Futures

This session will present how existing capacity-building initiatives, programmes and activities contribute to a better understandting of new technologies and innovation and cyber security mitigation measures.

Moderator :

Mr. Ahmed Talha, CEO Multihexa

Speakers/Panelists :

Ms. Alieen Taylor, WESTMINSTER
General. George Nader, Aviation Security and Facilitation Expert- Directorate General of Civil Aviation - Lebanon
Mr. Bennani Hicham, Safety & Air navigation Expert - ACAO
Mr. Hany Bakr, Senior Vice President Aviation & Maritime Security - MedAire International