Under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, a significant event was launched: the fourth edition of the Global Police Summit. The event’s theme is “Designing the Future of Policing,” organized by the Dubai Police in partnership with DXB Live. It will take place over three days at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
More than 300 international speakers and experts, as well as key decision-makers from the security sector, are participating to discuss emerging security challenges and innovative solutions. The summit also sees the attendance of Major General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, the commander-in-chief of Dubai Police, alongside police leaders from around the globe.
In his opening remarks, Major General Al Marri emphasized that the UAE has become a role model for establishing security concepts, innovation leadership, and anticipating the future of policing and security work. He noted that this conference gathers police leaders, security experts, and strategic thinkers from approximately 100 countries and global law enforcement agencies, as well as over 200 specialized international companies, to exchange best practices and discuss significant security challenges faced by societies worldwide.
He pointed out that the world is currently facing advanced criminal methods that transcend traditional geographical boundaries, including cybercrime, digital fraud, and AI-related hacking used by criminals to expand their operations and exchange information via dark web networks. According to Interpol’s financial crime reports, over 100 billion stolen personal and financial data entries are projected to circulate on the dark web in 2024, reflecting a 42% increase from 2023. Additionally, ransomware attacks accounted for about 25% of global cyber insurance claims.
He reiterated that Dubai Police is committed to aligning with the country’s efforts in enhancing global security and sharing its experiences in integrating policing with technology worldwide through various global initiatives. Noteworthy among these are the International Forum on Drug and Organized Crime, the International Anti-Fraud Forum, the UAE Tactical Teams Challenge, the specialized diploma in Policing Innovation and International Leadership (PIL), and the Global Police Summit. Collectively, these initiatives have attracted participation from 110 countries this year, showcasing the UAE’s exceptional ability to unify efforts and establish global partnerships in enhancing international security cooperation.
Emphasizing that the safety of communities is a shared responsibility that requires cross-border collaborative efforts, he expressed hope that this summit will yield impactful outcomes and effective recommendations that translate into realistic policies and strategies, reinforcing safety and stability, and building a more secure and prosperous future for communities worldwide.
Following the opening speech, a short film was presented highlighting the outcomes of the sixth edition of the UAE Tactical Teams Challenge, which saw participation from over 100 specialized teams globally, earning it a Guinness World Record for the largest number of participating countries. The initiative’s impacts reached far beyond the competition fields, affecting the communities and leaders of those nations.
John Romero, an innovator and game designer, noted that the gaming industry, which attracts millions each day, is losing revenues of up to $29 billion due to cybercrimes. This has prompted relevant institutions to spend approximately $13.5 billion on integrating anti-cheat software, in addition to $50 million in black market revenues resulting from such illegal practices.
Romero addressed ongoing challenges posed by hackers and intruders who exploit gaming systems for their gain, highlighting that these issues date back to 1979, when systems were first created to protect game copies and prevent cheating. He pointed out that common cheating methods include technologies that allow players to hit targets automatically or move faster than others, gain unfair advantages, or exploit currencies to easily purchase items.
He also discussed the models utilized by designers and programmers to detect abnormal behaviors, such as unusual patterns and behaviors analysis, creating reference patterns for normal conduct, and monitoring player actions with artificial intelligence, permitting reports on cheaters or suspicious behaviors.
Additionally, Romero talked about how game developers and relevant companies leverage machine learning and advanced software to identify unusual behaviors without exposing the system to further security risks. The technology utilized by hackers to exploit games is also being employed to combat these illegal activities and maintain a trustworthy, fair, and secure environment for players.
His Highness Sheikh Sef Bin Zayed Al Nahyan inaugurated the summit’s exhibition, where he observed the latest technologies and innovations designed to support efforts in combating cybercrime, forensic evidence collection, artificial intelligence, airport security, technological adaptation, police readiness, drone technology, cybersecurity, traffic and transportation, and drug control.