A conversation with Ashraf Aboukass

Marrakech will soon be the focus of every conversation at Gitex Africa 2025 with technical meal leaders summt-wo innovation, AI and cyber security.

The return to this year’s program is the cybersecurity forum from 14 to 15, in which a wide range of experts against cybercrime will be present in this 900 billion dollar-tech limit.

Below? Ashraf Aboukass, a man who has seen everything when it comes to the world of cyber security in Africa.

Cyber security is not just a job for him. It is a battlefield. A high -ranking game with a digital cat and mouse, in which the threats are real, the operations are high and the people who make calls must be razor -sharp.

And let’s be honest – doesn’t that sound a bit exciting? In an interview with Morocco World News, the current cyber security manager at Confidential leads us behind the screen and shares his journey, the greatest threats to the horizon and why soft skills in this area may be your best weapon.

A career that is rooted in an autodidactic ability

Ashraf’s journey into cyber security was not just a choice of career – it was an appointment.

“When things go wrong and the chaos takes over, most people freeze irrational or react irrational,” he said.

“But during the first big incident I was appointed to support them, I felt completely at home.”

While others panic, Ashraf remained calm and concentrated and quickly formulated a plan.

“This is something that most people have to fight with,” he added. For him it was not just about technical skills – it was about the way of thinking that really defines a cyber security professional.

As a manager, Ashraf has navigated high-stakes situations in which every second counts.

A memorable moment was in a company in London during a large internet failure.

At first, Ashraf suspects to be a cyber attack, trusted his instincts and instructed his team to dig deeper.

“The problem was not an attack, but a misconfiguration of DNS years ago,” he said.

By questioning assumptions and could trust his stomach, he not only saved time, but also unnecessary disorders, so that the company could quickly restore the services.

A new approach to cyber security

It is often said that cyber security professionals need a strong technical basis, but Ashraf believes that there is an underestimated ability that is often overlooked – emotional intelligence.

“In high -pressure situations, cyber security professionals often work with non -technical stakeholders who are looking for confused, fearful and for instructions,” he said.

If you are able to read people’s feelings and adapt their approach, this can make the difference, especially if decisions are made under pressure.

When asked about the most demanding cyber threat, which he has met, which he has met, ashraf refers to Stuxnet, a highly advanced piece of malware that still serves as a strong memory of what can happen if infinite resources are dedicated to creating cyber weapons.

“What is scary is that this malware was discovered about 15 years ago,” he remarked, admitting that the most advanced threats are not even announced.

For Ashraf, it’s no longer just about preventing attacks – it is about making compromises and concentrating on how to react effectively.

With regard to the future, Ashraf sees critical infrastructure systems as the main goal for cyber threats in the next five years.

“The drive for digitization in connection with migration into the cloud driven by hunger that use progress in machine learning will create an enormous challenge with regard to cyber security,” he warned.

The role of AI

Since cybercriminal becomes more demanding and AI use tailor -made malware, companies must take new threats or the risk of falling victim to a disorder.

The role of AI in cyber security is undeniable, but will it ultimately replace human analysts?

“AI will undoubtedly change the cybersecurity landscape,” said Ashraf.

“However, the need for experienced security experts does not disappear. However, cyber security is not just about identifying threats. It is about understanding the intention and judgment that AI alone cannot cope with.”

For Ashraf, AI will increase the profession and free human talent to concentrate on more complex and high -quality roles.

At a time when Cyber warfare increasingly becomes an instrument for geopolitical conflicts, companies have to be prepared.

Ashraf is of the opinion that the governments have to prioritize digital resilience through political, financing and education programs.

“Combating these threats requires a multifaceted approach and a collective effort between governments, companies and cyber security professionals,” he said.

While there is no uniform rule for cyber security, Ashraf is committed to the principle of “the lowest privileges”.

“Every company should implement this without exception,” he added.

By guaranteeing the context, companies can only issue minimal permissions, but can significantly reduce their exposure to cyber risks.

Follow the money, learn your technology

When discussing the growing profitability of cybercrime, Ashraf explains that the low entry costs, the availability of hacking tools and the global range of cybercriminals make it an attractive company.

“Cybercriminals are driven by the financial profit, so it is important that the money is essential,” he said.

It is clear that stronger international cooperation and parts of intelligence in the threat of crucial importance are of crucial importance to disturb this ecosystem, but Ashraf is of the opinion that early education is just as important.

“We have to counteract the glamorization of cybercriminals,” he urged.

Since the focus of the Gitex Africa 2025 is the focus, Ashraf is not to fall into the trap that the cloud is naturally safe.

“If companies do not understand their common responsibility, the cloud acceptance can become a security disaster,” he warned.

Understanding the security instruments of cloud providers and the proper integration into business is of crucial importance for reducing risks.

Come home for Gitex Africa

While Cyber Security may be a focus on Ashraf’s professional focus, Marrakech has a special place in his heart.

“I visited regularly since I was a child because my father is a Marrakechi,” he revealed. “He was an actor in one of the first theater productions here, and even now he continues to write pieces and poems.”

“For me, Marrakech is a living, breathing reflection of my father’s inspiration.”

When he continues to return to the city, Ashraf finds a place where he can charge and connect with its roots.

Gitex Africa 2025 is preparing to open your doors, and if there is one thing, it is clear: cyber security is no longer just a technical problem – it is a critical part of our digital future.

For experts like Ashraf Aboukass, this is only the beginning of an exciting and constantly developing journey.