Overview

Basil Al-Suwaidan, CISM, SSCP, is Head of Information Security at KIB, and is responsible for protecting its data and infrastructure from the most challenging emerging cyber security threats. He has endeavoured to promote information security in his organisation, successfully transforming and fostering information culture within. He has embraced defence-in-depth modelling to protect its status and reputation. His most recognizable strategic accomplishment was elevating IT Security from a function within Risk Management, to becoming Information Security, a unit that reports directly to the CEO. He then drove the process of the organisation’s ISO 27001 certification, enabling KIB to operate in accordance with international standards (i.e. ISO 27001, PCI-DSS); Information Security became an integral part of corporate governance, and various critical security processes were integrated to ensure the business operation is well protected.

Basil has undertaken numerous security technologies to protect KIB’s technological infrastructure and information assets. His projects include: implementing a Security Operations Centre (SOC) through a state-of-the-art security information and events management system; implementing Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD), which enabled a mobilized task force to securely conduct business outside of the organisation’s physical boundaries; and creating an award-winning Data Loss Prevention (DLP) System, leading to KIB being awarded Best Data Loss Prevention at the Gulf Information Security Expo and Conference (GISEC).

Basil is a faculty member at one of Kuwait’s top universities, sharing his knowledge and expertise to promote information security. Furthermore, he organized a cyber security event in Kuwait’s largest mall to promote information security awareness to the public.

Throughout the transformation of KIB’s digitalization ambition, Basil has ensured that information security is recognised not as a support system but as a primary pillar of the process. As part of the strategic plan, he has worked to ensure the latest information security technologies and best practices are adopted from the outset.