The Carré d’Or in Casablanca played host to the highly anticipated second edition of Cyber Security Day 2024, solidifying its place as a premier event for cybersecurity stakeholders in Morocco. Organized by Cyberforces in collaboration with Wavestone and supported by industry leaders such as Fortinet, Dell Technologies, Palo Alto Networks, and INEOS, the event centered around a critical theme: “From Resilience to Acceleration: Morocco’s Cybersecurity Priorities for 2025.”
The event brought together a wide array of experts, policymakers, researchers, and corporate leaders to discuss strategies for combating increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. With impactful keynotes, engaging panels featuring global tech giants, hands-on workshops, and a competitive hacking contest titled “Capture The Flag,” the conference offered an invaluable platform for dialogue and innovation. Networking sessions further encouraged collaboration within the cybersecurity community.
Key discussions revolved around artificial intelligence, cloud computing, operational technology (OT) environments, and the Internet of Things. Reda Bekkali, CEO of Cyberforces, emphasized the gravity of the challenges, stating that “cybersecurity, with global costs exceeding $8 trillion, is a critical issue. While AI exacerbates threats, it also offers opportunities for innovative and holistic solutions.” Bekkali highlighted Cyberforces’ 2024 achievements, including high-level certifications from Palo Alto Networks and Fortinet.
Romain Fouchereau, Senior Research Manager at IDC, shared alarming statistics, revealing that Morocco faced over 52 million cyberattacks in 2023, largely due to human and technical vulnerabilities. He advocated for adopting zero-trust architecture and enhancing cloud security while embedding a culture of cybersecurity across organizations.
The day showcased various initiatives from both public and private sectors. Bouziane Bekkioui, Digital Transformation Director at Poste Maroc, discussed the heightened vulnerabilities arising from rapid digitalization. Abdelali Hammadi, Digital Transformation Director at Domaines Agricoles, detailed innovative measures in agriculture, such as access segmentation and offline backups to counteract cyberattacks.
Florian Poucher, Cybersecurity Lead at Wavestone, highlighted Morocco’s dual identity on the global cybersecurity stage. Despite being Africa’s most targeted country for weekly cyberattacks and ranked 15th globally, Morocco is recognized for its maturity in cybersecurity, achieving Tier 2 status in the 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index.
The event also explored the dual-edged nature of generative AI. While it introduces new risks like deepfakes and advanced malware, AI also presents a unique opportunity to enhance threat detection and analysis capabilities. Thomas Argheria, AI Security Manager at Wavestone, captivated the audience with a demonstration of deepfake threats and advised on precise detection methods, including recognizing imperfections and using gesture-based authentication.
Mehdi Tazi, CISO of Attijariwafa Bank, stressed the importance of human awareness in combating phishing and malware, particularly in the heavily targeted banking sector. Marouane Akrab, Director of the Digital Center at Attijariwafa Bank, detailed how AI, first adopted by the bank in 2005, has revolutionized risk calculations, marketing, and fraud detection while raising new challenges in safeguarding sensitive data.
Abdel Regragui, Dell Technologies’ Cloud and AI Director, offered a philosophical perspective on AI, refuting fears of replacement. “AI will never replace humans. Its intelligence is analytical, not emotional, designed to free people from repetitive tasks, not replace them,” he said.
The day concluded with a celebration of innovation through the Capture The Flag contest, which challenged Moroccan students with realistic hacking scenarios. The top prize went to students from ENSET, followed by ENSIAS and the École des Sciences de l’Information. Winners received specialized training in Palo Alto Networks technologies, ensuring a bright future for Morocco’s cybersecurity talent.
A crowning moment was the presentation of the prestigious “Diamonds Innovator” award by Mohamed Attia, CEO of Palo Alto Africa, to Reda Bekkali for Cyberforces’ exceptional commitment to innovation and cybersecurity.
Afternoon workshops provided participants with practical insights into cutting-edge cybersecurity topics. Younes Sakhi of Palo Alto Networks led a session on SOC automation, while Fortinet’s Younes Fikhar delved into securing operational technology environments. Khalil Slimani, also from Fortinet, focused on security operations, and Abdel Regragui of Dell Technologies captivated attendees with his session on leveraging generative AI in cybersecurity.
As Morocco prepares for major global events like the 2030 FIFA World Cup, Cyber Security Day has emerged as a vital platform to anticipate and address the nation’s evolving cyber challenges. With discussions, innovations, and collaborations, this year’s edition reinforced Morocco’s position as a leader in African cybersecurity, paving the way for a more resilient and secure digital future.
