Rising Among Giants: My GISEC Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 Journey
The lights dimmed at GISEC Dubai 2024, and suddenly my name echoed through a room filled with the world’s leading cybersecurity professionals. Being named a finalist for Entrepreneur of the Year wasn’t just a career milestone—it was validation of every risk taken and every boundary pushed in cybersecurity GRC and AI governance.
That Unforgettable Night
GISEC Dubai has always been where the cybersecurity ecosystem converges, but the 2024 awards night was extraordinary. When H.E Dr. Mohamed al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government, and Dr. Diane M. Janosek took the stage to announce the finalists, my heart raced.
Hearing my name called among just four finalists felt surreal. The work I’ve poured into cybersecurity GRC frameworks and AI governance was resonating across the UAE’s dynamic tech landscape.
Beyond the Trophy
I didn’t take home the trophy that evening, but I gained something more valuable: perspective. Standing alongside some of the brightest entrepreneurial minds in cybersecurity reminded me that success isn’t a destination—it’s a continuous journey.
This recognition symbolizes the growing importance of GRC as a business enabler, the urgent need for AI governance frameworks, and the UAE’s commitment to fostering cybersecurity innovation.
What I Learned on That Stage
Excellence is relative: In a room filled with exceptional entrepreneurs solving complex security challenges, simply being there means you’re already succeeding.
Recognition fuels purpose: The nomination reinforced my mission to make cybersecurity governance accessible and practical for organizations across the UAE and beyond.
Community over competition: The connections made with fellow finalists opened doors to collaborative opportunities I never imagined.
The Road Ahead
The UAE continues positioning itself as a global cybersecurity leader, and being recognized at GISEC 2024 places me at the heart of these efforts. My focus remains on helping organizations navigate the complex intersection of cybersecurity, risk management, compliance, and AI governance.
As artificial intelligence becomes embedded in critical systems, robust governance frameworks have never been more urgent.
To Every Aspiring Cybersecurity Entrepreneur
Every challenge you overcome brings you closer to your goals. The GISEC stage taught me that visibility matters—sharing your expertise, contributing to the community, and putting yourself out there creates opportunities you cannot manufacture through work alone.
Why This Matters
The UAE’s cybersecurity ecosystem thrives because it celebrates innovation. Events like GISEC aren’t just about trophies—they’re about building a culture where security professionals create new solutions for emerging threats.
That night at GISEC Dubai 2024 remains pivotal—not because of what I won, but because of what I learned. It reinforced my commitment to cybersecurity GRC and AI governance while connecting me with innovators pushing the industry forward.
The work continues. The mission evolves. And the best is yet to come.
By – Pooja Shimpi | Cybersecurity GRC & AI Governance Advisor
