It’s no wonder, then, that the 1982-born Emirati, who leads Dubai’s cybersecurity strategy, R&D program and policies, is the only Arab representative on the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Cybersecurity since 2020. while also having the rare privilege of being a peer. examiner within the World Bank Cloud Computing Group by invitation.
Additionally, the Ph.D. holder is the inventor of two patents in memory management and cloud computing, with dreams of seeing her “Made in UAE” devices soon be employed lucratively in the country and abroad. the stranger.
Dr. Bushra, who is very modest for all his accomplishments, attributes his success to the leadership of the United Arab Emirates. His role model is His Highness Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, whose motto “Nothing is impossible” has become his motto.
“Indeed, thanks to leadership accountability, nothing is impossible. It’s about believing in your skills and seizing the right opportunities,” she explains.
UAE advances in cybersecurity
As an example, she explains how global bodies like the World Economic Forum and the World Bank take seriously what officials like her are saying today because of the UAE’s phenomenal progress in cybersecurity and of artificial intelligence.
“From its 30th position in the Global Cyber Index three years ago, the UAE is now ranked #4, which is a huge achievement,” says Dr Bushra.
Dr. Bushra, who has published numerous articles and participated in numerous national and international conferences, is currently a member of several boards and advisory committees around the world.
Image credit: Clint Egbert/Gulf News
Even within the World Bank Cloud Computing Group, a permanent framework for developed countries, the example of Dubai is cited in terms of best practices for cloud computing and digital services, she adds.
Dr. Bushra, who has published numerous articles and participated in numerous national and international conferences, is currently a member of several boards and advisory committees around the world.
Bushra thinks she’s come this far because she keeps questioning herself. She recalled how she passed out with a bachelor’s degree in software engineering as part of the pioneer group of students from the College of Computer Science at the United Arab Emirates University in 2000. Also in 2010, when she was working with an entity of transport, she was comfortably placed as an IT manager. for public transportation initiatives, but she quit her job to pursue a Masters in Public Administration from MBRSG in conjunction with Harvard University. She continued with a second master’s degree in information security from Khalifa University and a doctorate in electrical engineering with cloud security.
Importance of development
There has been no turning back since, she says, emphasizing the importance of improving skills. In fact, as part of DESC’s internal committee for digital skills, its goal is to build a comprehensive skills framework for the digital task force in Dubai, in addition to creating one for universities and schools to hone talent based on demand.
Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility – if we as individuals are not aware of it, we risk being the weakest point of a cyber disaster,” says Dr Bushra.
Image credit: Pixabay. For illustrative purposes only.
This is not rhetoric as Dr Bushra goes on to identify the request. “Digital Dubai recently commissioned a first of its kind study to determine current and future levels of demand and needs for digital skills in Dubai. The Digital Skills Employer Survey surveyed 15,812 ICT employees in 17 different economic activities across 522 establishments,” she says, adding that the initiative has helped identify gaps in digital skills against categories. predefined ICTs.
“Whether you’re a student or a parent, whether you work in IT or not, wider access to digital skills is very important,” she notes, all her efforts to make that happen.
Now, how does Dr. Bushra deal with all of this while being a mother of six? How does she meet the needs of the children and manage to reconcile professional and private life? “I try to do my best and encourage my children – five girls and one boy – to do the same. The eldest is in his first year of university while the youngest is three years old. I tell them to set their own goals and achieve what they really want.
She says individual responsibility aside, giving back to society and country is a must no matter what field one works in.
For her personally, her work is her passion. “Even in my spare time, I end up reading books about cybersecurity and how we can compare to other countries. It’s always in my head.”
She has a goodbye word of warning: “Never believe that you won’t be hacked.” Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility – if we as individuals are not aware of it, we risk being the weakest point in a cyber disaster.