Syed M. Belal is the Director of OT Cybersecurity Consulting Services based in Manama, Bahrain. Syed has more than 14 years of experience in industrial control systems (ICS) and operational technology (OT) applications with a focus on networking and cybersecurity. He joined PAS, part of Hexagon PPM, in 2017, after a nine-year tenure as Schneider Electrics' Lead Cybersecurity Consultant in Dubai, UAE. He has specific expertise in industrial automation, SCADA, control, and safety systems often used in critical infrastructure. Today, as the Director of OT Cybersecurity Consulting Services, he is responsible for the strategy, growth, and support of PAS’ OT cybersecurity business globally.

Syed has a B.S. (summa cum laude) in Electrical Engineering (Control and Communication Systems) with a minor in Computer Engineering (Computer Communications and Networks) from the American University of Sharjah in UAE and an M.B.A. (with distinction) in Business Strategy from the University of Strathclyde in the United Kingdom.

Syed has presented at numerous industry programs and conferences around the world. He Completed the ICS Cybersecurity programs offered by the United States Department of Homeland Security ICS-CERT (Industrial Control Systems Cyber Emergency Response Team). He holds a multitude of industry certifications including CISSP®, CISA®, CISM®, and ISA/IEC-62443 Cybersecurity Fundamentals Specialist.

Mathew V. Thomas is a Technical Consultant working with PAS part of Hexagon, based out of Bahrain. Mathew holds a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering with 18 years of experience in the manufacturing and automation industry. He has a diverse range of experience in Plant Manufacturing Operations, Enterprise Asset Management, Alarm Management, Plant Information Systems, and Manufacturing Execution Systems. Prior to joining PAS, he worked with Reliance Industries Ltd, Invensys, and most recently with Yokogawa Middle East and Africa as the Leader for the Advanced Information Management Systems based out of Bahrain.

Syed M. Belal is the Director of OT Cybersecurity Consulting Services based in Manama, Bahrain. Syed has more than 14 years of experience in industrial control systems (ICS) and operational technology (OT) applications with a focus on networking and cybersecurity. He joined PAS, part of Hexagon PPM, in 2017, after a nine-year tenure as Schneider Electrics' Lead Cybersecurity Consultant in Dubai, UAE. He has specific expertise in industrial automation, SCADA, control, and safety systems often used in critical infrastructure. Today, as the Director of OT Cybersecurity Consulting Services, he is responsible for the strategy, growth, and support of PAS’ OT cybersecurity business globally.

Syed has a B.S. (summa cum laude) in Electrical Engineering (Control and Communication Systems) with a minor in Computer Engineering (Computer Communications and Networks) from the American University of Sharjah in UAE and an M.B.A. (with distinction) in Business Strategy from the University of Strathclyde in the United Kingdom.

Syed has presented at numerous industry programs and conferences around the world. He Completed the ICS Cybersecurity programs offered by the United States Department of Homeland Security ICS-CERT (Industrial Control Systems Cyber Emergency Response Team). He holds a multitude of industry certifications including CISSP®, CISA®, CISM®, and ISA/IEC-62443 Cybersecurity Fundamentals Specialist.

Mathew V. Thomas is a Technical Consultant working with PAS part of Hexagon, based out of Bahrain. Mathew holds a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering with 18 years of experience in the manufacturing and automation industry. He has a diverse range of experience in Plant Manufacturing Operations, Enterprise Asset Management, Alarm Management, Plant Information Systems, and Manufacturing Execution Systems. Prior to joining PAS, he worked with Reliance Industries Ltd, Invensys, and most recently with Yokogawa Middle East and Africa as the Leader for the Advanced Information Management Systems based out of Bahrain.

Gilles Loridon, MSc in Computer Science from French IT Engineering school, IIE, has worked as IT/OT Consultant for more than twenty-five years and in the Cyber Security field for more than twenty years.
Gilles started his career in the CEA, the French Nuclear Energy Agency, in the Nuclear Emergency Response Team. This team is the first response in case of a nuclear accident. He developed real-time safety software related to gamma radiation dosage.
In 1995, Gilles was designing, developing, and implementing an Industrial Control System to manage the robots of the main European warehouse of a leading fashion retailer.
In 1997, he moved to the USA and worked for the US government as a project leader for the development of innovative Economic Intelligence System.
In 1999, Gilles joined the European Leader in Economic Intelligence and Cyber Security, CEIS, as a Project Leader and later, took the leadership of its Middle East Branch. During the last twenty-one years as CEO of Global Security Network, he has been leading and implementing successful cyber security projects for governmental Agencies, Critical infrastructure companies, and Military Departments in Europe, Africa, as well as in the Middle East. Gilles’ main role is to the Subject Matter Expert on ICS/SCADA Cyber Security and on the relevant standards (ISO 27001, IEC 62443, ISF IRAM) and regulations (US NRC 5.71, UAE NESA, etc…). Gilles is a certified ISA/IEC 62443 Cyber Security Fundamentals Specialist.
Since 2010, Gilles is the Cyber Security principal consultant for UAE FANR regarding Barakah Nuclear Power Plant Cyber Security Licensing as well as Safety/Security for LOLA and AIA.
Gilles is participating in many conferences in the MENA & APAC regions presenting, peer-reviewed, ISC/SCADA cyber security papers.
Gilles conducted many Information Security Awareness sessions in the Oil & Gas and Nuclear sectors for hundreds of employees with a focus on ICS/SCADA users.
Gilles developed and delivered Safety and Security training for the UAE Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation including the APR 1400 Safety Systems and the Safety Assessors Training.