New York University Abu Dhabi’s new director of cyber security is as concerned about preserving the environment as implementing safe online practices.
Growing up among the wild landscapes of Fujairah, Hoda Al Khzaimi developed an abiding love for the coastlines and mountains of her native emirate. And even though she spends most of her time in the capital, she still goes home to spearhead clean-up drives on the beaches around her family home in Fujairah.
“We have a whole group of people we reach out to on WhatsApp,” says Al Khzaimi. “On a Friday morning, after the fajr prayer, we set off – children, teenagers, adults – with bin bags and heavy-duty gloves, and spend hours making sure the shore is spotless. There is a need to further spread the word, among both Emiratis and expats.”
When she is not rallying the troops in her part-time role as environmental activist, Al Khzaimi, who took over the cyber-security department at NYUAD last year, also works at the university as a research assistant professor (engineering).
“I always was interested in mathematics and science in school,” she says. “In university, I spent some time doing medicine, but realised it was not my calling.
“Then I found out that UAE University was offering Information Security and I switched courses. That was that – I went on to obtain a degree in the subject and a PhD in cryptanalysis from Denmark University [Technical University of Denmark].”
Al Khzaimi learnt discipline and forbearance at the knees of her grandmother, a formidable matriarch who looked after her grandchildren with an iron fist.
“She was very strict,” says Al Khzaimi. “She wouldn’t let us watch television until we had finished our homework. My dad was like that, too. He was in the military and taught us how to fold our blankets army-style. If my mark in an examination was 99 out of 100, he’d want to know what happened to that one mark.”
The environment at home led Al Khzaimi to excel in academics and paved the way for her future choices. She now specialises in constructing and validating security hardware and software components. Her love for the subject, she says, stems from a natural curiosity about how things work.
“Every time I wanted more answers, a teacher would say there’s no need to learn this right now. But I would insist on knowing. Breaking down systems and building them up again – that’s what I like to do.
“You know, to promote inquisitive minds at an early age, it would be a good idea to allow pupils to learn about cyber-security during excursions to universities that offer the subject.”
Al Khzaimi’s top tips for safe online practices include mindfulness and taking ownership of one’s security and needs.
“Regardless of what you use to stay safe, whether you prefer to frequently change your passwords or choose to keep your social-media profiles private, be mindful in your digital space,” she says.
“For example, do not use a technology just because it is user-friendly and popular. You must check if the platform you have chosen might compromise your security. A good example is online banking. We have seen the possibilities to trick online image-recognition systems, allowing hackers to potentially gain access to confidential financial data.
“Also, remember that knowledge is power. Being a user in this day and age is not the same as it was a few years ago. You must have a wide knowledge of the digital platforms you’re utilising. Cyber security is a science – know how it is built and study how your privacy could be breached. Be involved – read, attend workshops and sign up for cyber-security conferences.”
Al Khzaimi is immensely proud of the strides the UAE has made in empowering its women.
“In the UAE, women have always been encouraged to seek knowledge and contribute to the direct welfare of the community,” she says, pointing out that lots of Emirati women choose careers in STEM fields.
“And cyber-security is a reflection of that – it is a field that fuses science, engineering, technology and mathematics. Now, it includes arts as well [STEAM]. The main reason, in my opinion, why women take to it, is that this field offers constant technical challenges that interest their minds.”
Whenever possible, Al Khzaimi heads to Fujairah, to rest at home. She likes spending her time bouldering in the mountains and walking among the nakhl (palm trees).
“It’s how I relax,” she says. “But it concerns me that Fujairah is developing at such a fast pace. I hope the coastlines remain pristine, the mountains untouched. We need to be more mindful of our environment and do whatever we can to preserve it.”
What are you reading right now?
So many titles. On a technical level, Secure Integrated Circuits and Systems. For a leisure read, The Intel Trinity, Mission to Mars and Animate Earth.
Which book would you say has transformed you?
It would be fair to say that if there is any transformation in my life it should be credited to the whole list of books that I have read in the past. It is better not to choose.
Which travel destinations inspire you the most?
The UAE, Iceland and Antarctica.
What is your favourite outdoor spot in the UAE?
I would say the sea and mountains, and the desert at night. If we pass any legacy to the next generation it should be cleaner air and a well-preserved environment.
What is your go-to place for comfort food in the UAE?
The dining table at my home in Fujairah.
What are your creative pursuits?
Restructuring things – situations, material, spaces, projects – and making them pleasantly and positively unrecognisable. Even better if I get to work with my hands.
What do you do to unwind?
Help someone, pray, run, bike, hike, climb, read – and repeat.
What are your biggest goals for 2017?
You will know it when it is achieved. Let my actions speak louder than any words.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Mamo Year it started: 2019 Founders: Imad Gharazeddine, Asim Janjua Based: Dubai, UAE Number of employees: 28 Sector: Financial services Investment: $9.5m Funding stage: Pre-Series A Investors: Global Ventures, GFC, 4DX Ventures, AlRajhi Partners, Olive Tree Capital, and prominent Silicon Valley investors. OPTA'S PREDICTED TABLE
1. Liverpool 101 points
2. Manchester City 80
3. Leicester 67
4. Chelsea 63
5. Manchester United 61
6. Tottenham 58
7. Wolves 56
8. Arsenal 56
9. Sheffield United 55
10. Everton 50
11. Burnley 49
12. Crystal Palace 49
13. Newcastle 46
14. Southampton 44
15. West Ham 39
16. Brighton 37
17. Watford 36
18. Bournemouth 36
19. Aston Villa 32
20. Norwich City 29
More on animal trafficking
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In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
Elvis
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
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Anghami
Started: December 2011
Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital
The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands
The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands
50-man Royal Rumble - names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias
Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
WWE World Heavyweight ChampionshipAJ Styles (champion) v Shinsuke Nakamura
Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
United States Championship Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal
SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos
Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant) Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt
Casket match The Undertaker v Chris Jericho
Singles match John Cena v Triple H
Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v tba
Company Profile
Name: JustClean
Based: Kuwait with offices in other GCC countries
Launch year: 2016
Number of employees: 130
Sector: online laundry service
Funding: $12.9m from Kuwait-based Faith Capital Holding
How much of your income do you need to save?
The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.
In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)
Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.
THE SPECS
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
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The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
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BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
