Former CIA chief set to speak at Abu Dhabi event

General Michael Hayden, the former director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and deputy director of the National Security Agency (NSA) will be the keynote speaker at an Abu Dhabi conference next month. Hayden will speak at Black Hat Abu Dhabi and will share his insights on cyber security and discuss "cyber threats in a changing world". Mohammed Al Nasser Al Ghanim, director general, Telecommunications Regulatory Authority and aeCERT, which is hosting the event, said: "As security continues to be at the top of the list of priorities for enterprises and governments in the region, his experience in running two of the most well respected security agencies in the world will provide invaluable insight to CIOs in the region." General Michael Hayden (retired) served as director of the CIA (2006-2009) and deputy director of National Intelligence (2005-2006) when world events were changing at an accelerated rate. He was also appointed to the post of director of the NSA from 1999-2005 by President Bill Clinton. As the director of the country's key intelligence-gathering agencies, he was on the frontline of geopolitical strife and the war on terrorism at a time when communication underwent a revolution. He will discuss the potential dangers, risks, and rewards associated with the political and economic climates, and security situations facing the world.