Subela Bhatia, Founder and Sales Director of IMPERIUM Middle East explains that her company delivers unique security solutions and AI training. They address ransomware and AI phishing, emphasizing practical skills, ongoing learning, and the future of quantum security.
Cybersecurity is a competitive field—how do you differentiate your company from established players in both solutions and certification?
Our USP is a quick turnaround time in understanding the customer’s problem compared to our larger competitors in the same space. We are client-centric and offer only bespoke security solutions and upskilling programs for organizations.
What are the most critical cybersecurity threats businesses face today, and how does your company help mitigate them?
Ransomware and phishing/social engineering continue to be some of the most prevalent and damaging forms of cyberattacks. Ransomware attackers encrypt a business’s data and demand payment in exchange for decryption keys, often causing major operational disruption. Phishing attacks and social engineering tactics are still highly effective, as they manipulate employees into giving up sensitive information or clicking on malicious links. Our company provides security awareness solutions and protection against dark web threats, so organizations are equipped against phishing and social engineering attacks. We have recently added web vulnerability and API security (DAST, IAST) solutions to provide an end-to-end solution for our customers.
With the rapid evolution of AI-driven threats, how do you ensure that your training and solutions remain relevant and up to date?
We ensure our training and awareness solutions stay relevant by partnering with leading professionals focused on delivering AI skills necessary for all employees in organizations and government entities. The objective is to equip them to use AI for faster and efficient processes in an ethical manner, enhancing their career prospects. Our workforce training incorporates the most current best practices, real-world examples, and scenarios to address evolving risks. By leveraging our vendors’ expertise and regularly updating our course materials, we ensure our clients stay informed on the latest trends in AI-driven cybersecurity threats. Additionally, we provide ongoing access to updated content and expert-led webinars to keep teams prepared and resilient against emerging risks.
What skills do you believe are most in demand for cybersecurity professionals, and how does your certification program help bridge the skills gap?
Imperium Middle East addresses the cybersecurity skills gap by offering comprehensive, vendor-neutral training and certification programs, not off-the-shelf training, as one size does not fit all. We offer skills development in network defense, cyber threat analysis, cloud security, and IoT security. By providing courses ranging from 2-hour sessions to extended programs lasting up to a year, we cater to diverse learning needs. Our curriculum is designed to equip professionals with the practical skills and knowledge required to effectively combat current and emerging cybersecurity threats.
How do you measure the success and effectiveness of your cybersecurity training programs for both individuals and enterprises?
At Imperium Middle East, we measure the success and effectiveness of our cybersecurity training programs through a combination of assessments, feedback, and real-world application. For individuals, we track progress with certification assessments and practical tests that demonstrate knowledge retention and skill proficiency. For enterprises, we assess improvements in employees’ ability to identify and respond to cyber threats, using metrics such as reduced incident response times and a decrease in security breaches. Additionally, we collect client feedback to refine our curriculum continuously, ensuring our training programs remain aligned with evolving cybersecurity challenges and industry needs.
How do you keep up with the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape, and what emerging trends will shape the industry in the next five years?
We are offering additional AI-based tools through our vendors, which are native agents designed to transform your approach to human risk management. The workforce is under serious risk of social engineering attacks, as malicious actors are using AI-driven phishing attacks more efficiently, and traditional solutions to handle these threats are not enough.
To keep up with this rapidly evolving cybersecurity threat landscape, we continuously monitor industry trends, collaborate with experts, and invest in ongoing training for our own team. We stay informed through threat intelligence feeds, research papers, and cybersecurity conferences. In the next five years, we anticipate that cyber insurance is going to be a major focus. The key trends shaping the industry include the rise of AI and machine learning mitigating advanced threat detection, the growing importance of cloud and IoT security, and the CISO will need to increasingly focus on cyber resilience in the face of frequent attacks. Additionally, quantum computing will drive innovation in encryption and data protection technologies.