Wednesday 17th June 2026

Bab Samhan, A Luxury Hotel Collection Diriyah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

How do you innovate without risk?

We are pleased to invite you to The Exclusive Palo Alto Networks Innovation Day, taking place on Wednesday 17 June 2026 at Bab Samhan, Diriyah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Join your peers, our leading experts, and our local partners to explore a new security strategy — one that empowers you to confidently embrace revolutionary technologies and unleash your organization’s full potential.

With progress come new and evolving cyberthreats, forcing business and IT leaders to ensure security does not become a barrier to expansion. We’re excited to share that the time has come to reframe cybersecurity as the key enabler of your business — and a powerful engine for growth.

Our vision is a world where each day is safer and more secure than the one before, and Palo Alto Networks is trusted by more than 70,000 customers in over 150 countries. We define what’s next in cybersecurity through our best-of-breed platforms, world-class threat intelligence and unparalleled expert services.

Innovation Day Riyadh, brought to you by Palo Alto Networks will guide you through your evolving security journey. During this day, you’ll learn to stop simply reacting to threats – and to start building a proactive, resilient defense suited to the specific needs of your organization.

Why Attend?

  • Gain a practical blueprint for growth:
    You’ll get a clear plan for consolidating your architecture and simplifying your security on our unified platform.
  • Master the tools to stop modern attacks:
    Step into our practical sessions and move from theory to execution. Learn to operationalize our platforms to neutralize sophisticated, evasive threats at scale and strengthen your security posture immediately.
  • Connect with a local community of leaders:
    Network with fellow security and business professionals who are navigating this complex landscape alongside you.

    Learn from their real-world successes and build a trusted network of peers you can rely on long after the event.

Agenda

09:45am – 10:00am: Welcome by Master of Ceremony

10:00am – 10:15am: Welcome to Innovation Day Riyadh
Abdallah Altaifi, VP, Saudi/LBS, Palo Alto Networks
Jordi Botifoll, VP EMEA South, Palo Alto Networks

10:15am – 10:45am: Frontier AI
Haider Pasha, VP Chief Security Officer, Palo Alto Networks

10:40am – 10:50am: Fireside Chat
Haider Pasha, VP Chief Security Officer, Palo Alto Networks

10:50am – 11:10am: What’s next in Cybersecurity
Tarek Abbas, Senior Director Technical Solutions, Palo Alto Networks

11:20am – 11:45am: Customer Experts Panel: Delivering Outcomes from Platformization
Mohammed Hamdan, Technical Solutions Manager, Palo Alto Networks
3 x Customers TBC

11:50am – 12:15pm: COFFEE BREAK

12:15pm – 12:40pm: Threat Intelligence Briefing – KSA
Unit 42 Consultant, Palo Alto Networks

12:40pm – 1:10pm: Customer Experts Panel: The AI Advantage to Solving the Unsolvable in CyberSecurity
Ehab Al Dubbeh, Solutions Consulting Manager, Palo Alto Networks

1:10pm – 2:15pm: LUNCH BREAK

2:15pm – 2:45pm: Securing your Quantum Future

2:45pm – 3:15pm: Identity Security

3:15pm – 4:00pm: AI Observability

4:00pm: Closing

Speakers

Abdullah Altaifi

Regional Vice President - Palo Alto Networks

Haider Pasha

VP & Chief Security Officer, EMEA- Palo Alto Networks

Jordi Botifoll

Vice President for EMEA South and Emerging Markets at Palo Alto Networks

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Additional Information

We look forward to welcoming you to Innovation Day on January 13th at The Waldorf Astoria Lusail.

Attendees are responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs.

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  1. My attendance is in full compliance with my employer's policies regarding the acceptance of business courtesies and event invitations.
  2. I understand that Palo Alto Networks does not intend to improperly influence the performance of my official duties or any related professional decisions.
  3. I confirm my attendance at this Palo Alto Networks hosted event is in full compliance with my employer’s policies.
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Samer El Kodsi
Regional Vice President of Sales – Gulf & North Africa

Samer El Kodsi is the Regional Vice President of Sales – Gulf & North Africa at Palo Alto Networks. He is responsible for leading sales strategy and growth, driving cybersecurity innovation and partnerships.
 
With about 25 years of experience, El Kodsi is skilled in leading sales strategies and in supervising diverse teams across multiple positions and geographies. Starting his career in the software industry, El Kodsi co-founded Exceed IT Services – a leading Microsoft service and consulting partner – following which he joined Juniper Networks as a General Manager for the Gulf and Levant region. Since 2018, El Kodsi has been at Palo Alto Networks, where he has grown professionally within the cybersecurity industry.
 
El Kodsi holds a master’s degree in Computer Systems Engineering from Boston University, United States, and a bachelor’s degree in Computer and Communications Engineering from American University of Beirut, Lebanon.

Tarek Abbas 
Senior Systems Engineering Director  – Emerging and South Europe

Tarek Abbas is the Senior Systems Engineering Director at Palo Alto Networks, Emerging Markets. In his leadership capacity, he oversees the Company’s PreSales Team and manages the technical field engagement with key clients and partners across the region. 

He joined the organisation in 2015 and has 25 years of experience within the information and cyber security sector. He has worked with leading organisations such as Juniper Networks , Cisco Systems and Siemens AG, where he gained experience in leading both technical and sales teams. His engagement focuses on understanding of every customer’s business needs and security requirements and addressing them accordingly. In different capacities, he covered markets across the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer and Communication Engineering from the American University of Beirut, Lebanon. 

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