HIBAPRESS-RABAT
Casablanca vibrated to the rhythm of the 2nd edition of Cyber Security Day, an unmissable event which asserts itself as a strategic platform for cybersecurity players in Morocco. Organized by Cyberforces in partnership with Wavestone, with the support of Fortinet, Dell Technologies, Palo Alto Networks and INEOS, this day explored the crucial theme: “From resilience to acceleration: what priorities for Morocco in the face of cyber threats in 2025? »
This edition brought together a diversity of experts, decision-makers, researchers and representatives of large public and private organizations, all of whom came to discuss priorities for confronting ever more sophisticated threats. The event was designed as a space for in-depth discussions, with impactful keynotes on current trends, interactive panels involving global technology giants and practical workshops dedicated to new technologies. At the same time, a hacking competition called “Capture The Flag” tested participants’ skills in realistic scenarios, while networking sessions encouraged collaboration within the community.
Artificial intelligence, the cloud, operational technology environments (OT) and the Internet of Things were at the heart of the discussions. Among the notable interventions, Reda Bakkali, CEO of Cyberforces, highlighted the scale of the current challenges by declaring: “With a global cost exceeding $8 trillion, cybersecurity is a critical issue. The rise of AI amplifies these threats, but we can turn challenges into opportunities through holistic and innovative approaches. » He also highlighted the year’s successes for Cyberforces, highlighted by the high-level certifications Cyberforces obtained from Palo Alto Networks and Fortinet.
According to Romain Fouchereau, Senior Research Manager at IDC, Morocco suffered no less than 52 million cyberattacks in 2023, mainly due to human and technical vulnerabilities. He emphasized the importance of deploying a zero-trust architecture and strengthening the security of cloud assets to respond to growing threats, while integrating a culture of cybersecurity within organizations.
The day also highlighted public and private sector initiatives to strengthen their resilience in the face of massive digitalization. Bouziane Bekkioui, Director of Information Systems and digital transformation at La Poste Maroc, recalled that this rapid digital transition exposes IT systems to increased vulnerabilities. Abdelali Hammadi, Director of digital transformation at Domaines Agricoles, detailed the innovative measures taken in the agricultural sector, in particular the segmentation of access and the use of offline physical backups to ward off cyberattacks.
Florian Pouchet, Cybersecurity Partner at Wavestone, highlighted Morocco’s position on the African scene. With the highest number of weekly attacks in Africa, the country is also ranked 15th globally for cyberattacks. However, it stands out for its maturity in cybersecurity, rising to the rank of Tier 1 in the 2024 global index.
The event also discussed promising perspectives offered by generative artificial intelligence. While this technology raises new threats such as malware and deepfakes, it also represents a real opportunity to improve detection and analysis capabilities. For his part, Mohamed Tazi, CISO of Attijariwafa Bank, emphasized the central role of human awareness in a banking sector heavily targeted by phishing and malware.
As Morocco prepares to take on major challenges, notably with the hosting of the World Cup in 2030, Cyber Security Day has established itself as a strategic meeting to anticipate and strengthen resilience capacities in the face of a constantly evolving cyber threat. This edition closes a year marked by significant progress, consolidating Morocco among African leaders in cybersecurity.
Thomas ArgheriaAI Security Manager at Wavestone, captivated the audience with his powerful presentation titled “Is AI the future of cybersecurity? ». Through a striking deepfake demonstration, he highlighted the growing dangers of AI as a vector of sophisticated threats. “Attackers are using AI to challenge cybersecurity systems,” he explained, before advising precise detection measures, such as identifying imperfections and requesting specific gestures in video interactions.
Still on the business side, Marouane Familiardirector of the Digital Center of Attijariwafa Bank, shared the experience of the banking group, a pioneer in the use of AI. While this technology has revolutionized risk calculation, marketing and fraud detection, it also poses significant challenges, notably the protection of sensitive data against cyberattacks. For his part, Abdel RegraguiEMEA Chief Technology Officer Cyber Resiliency, Cloud, and AI at Dell Technologies, provided philosophical insight into the future of AI. He wanted to demystify certain preconceived ideas: “AI will never replace humans, because its intelligence is analytical, not emotional. It was designed to free people from time-consuming tasks, not to replace them. »
Beyond the debates, Cyber Security Day celebrated innovation and excellence. The hacking competition « Capture The Flag » rewarded brilliant Moroccan students. The first prize was won by students from ENSET, followed by those from ENSIAS and the School of Information Sciences, second and third respectively. These promising talents will benefit from specialized training on Palo Alto Networks technologies, thus consolidating the future of cybersecurity in Morocco, in addition to a special remuneration awarded by the CEO of Cyberforces. This competition was organized in collaboration with the INSEC club of ENSIAS, chaired by Reda Daal who also expressed his pride by declaring: “This event is a real springboard for young Moroccan talents. It not only offers them the opportunity to test their skills in conditions close to reality, but also to connect with key players in the sector. These initiatives strengthen our positioning in the global cybersecurity ecosystem. »
The highlight of the day was the presentation of the prestigious prize « Diamonds Innovator » par Mohamed AttiaSenior Director of Palo Alto Africa. This trophy was awarded to Reda BekkaliCEO of Cyberforces, for Cyberforces’ exceptional capacity for innovation and commitment to cybersecurity.
The afternoon was devoted to practical workshopsallowing participants to explore advanced cybersecurity themes. Younes SakhiSenior Systems Engineer, led a workshop on Security Operations Center Automation (SOC Automation) for Palo Alto Networks. Younes FikharSenior Systems Engineer at Fortinet, addressed the challenges of securing operational environments (OT Security), while Khalil SlimaniSystems Engineer Manager for Fortinet, focused on Security Operations. Finally, Abdel RegraguiEMEA Chief Technology Officer Cyber Resiliency, Cloud, and AI at Dell Technologies, led an engaging session on using Generative AI for Cybersecurity.
