During a recent roundtable in Dubai, security leaders emphasized the need for data-centric security strategies that extend beyond traditional breach prevention. Hosted by Certes on October 15, 2026, the event, titled “Devalue the Stolen Data,” focused on how organizations can protect sensitive information after a breach, particularly in the context of evolving threats such as quantum computing.
The roundtable, held alongside the CISO50 and Future Security Awards 2026, brought together Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) to discuss the importance of making intercepted data unusable to attackers. Rami Nehme, Managing Director for META at Certes, highlighted the gap between conventional cyber defenses and the need for robust data protection strategies. “Security leaders emphasized the challenges of achieving post-quantum readiness across complex legacy, hybrid, and cloud environments, without disrupting critical business operations,” Nehme stated.
Shifting Focus to Data Protection
Participants explored the shift from perimeter-based defenses to a model that prioritizes the protection of data itself. The discussion included the implications of compromised credentials and the necessity of reducing the value of stolen information. Nehme pointed out that organizations must strengthen control over data flows and prepare for quantum-related risks while maintaining operational continuity.
Key topics included the adequacy of existing encryption and key management strategies, particularly in how organizations manage access to sensitive data across various environments, including legacy systems and cloud platforms. The concept of crypto-agility was also a focal point, allowing organizations to adapt their cryptographic protections as threats and regulations evolve without overhauling existing infrastructure.
Preparing for Quantum Threats
Another significant concern raised was the “harvest now, decrypt later” threat, where attackers collect encrypted data with the intention of decrypting it when more powerful computing capabilities become available. This highlights the importance of considering the lifespan of sensitive data in security planning, especially for organizations that must keep information confidential for extended periods.
Simon Pamplin, CTO of Certes, emphasized that CISOs do not need to replace existing infrastructure to protect data effectively. “The priority is to protect the data itself, not just the network or perimeter,” he explained. He advocated for policy-driven, cryptographic protection that secures data in motion across various environments, including cloud, WAN, and legacy systems.
Practical Steps for UAE Organizations
Nehme translated these discussions into actionable priorities for organizations in the UAE, urging them to identify critical data flows, implement advanced encryption, and apply granular crypto-segmentation to minimize exposure in the event of a breach. He stressed the importance of adopting a data-centric security approach, where protection follows the data regardless of the network or infrastructure it traverses.
As the roundtable concluded, Nehme encapsulated the essence of the discussions: “Ultimately, the measure of cyber resilience should not only be whether an attacker can breach your defenses, but whether the data they manage to intercept has any value to them.” This perspective underscores the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, where the focus is shifting towards making stolen data worthless to attackers.
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