Tarek Shabaka, founder and CEO of MCS: Each week, My Morning Routine looks at how a successful member of the community starts their day — and then throws in a couple of random business questions just for fun. Speaking to us this week is Mideast Communication Systems (MCS) Founder and CEO Tarek Shabaka (LinkedIn). Edited excerpts from our conversation:

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My name is Tarek Shabaka, and I am the CEO of Middle East Communication Systems. I’m also on the board of the Chamber of Information Technology and Telecommunications, a member of the National Council for Women, and serve on the communications and AI committees at AmCham Egypt. I’ve worked in telecommunications and cybersecurity since graduating from the Higher Technological Institute in Tenth of Ramadan City more than three decades ago. I hold an MBA from the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport and an MPA from Ain Shams University.

I founded MCS in 2007 to focus on cybersecurity technologies, which at the time were not widespread. I believed this field would be transformative for the tech industry and critical for institutions, companies, and individuals alike.

After launching the company, I realized the field was far deeper and larger than I had imagined. This pushed me to expand, recruit specialized talent, and invest heavily. Today, MCS is one of the leading companies in this field in Egypt and across the Middle East.

My starting point was joining Cisco after graduation, where I gained valuable experience and exposure to diverse perspectives. That role gave me the confidence to take the leap and start MCS, even with all the risks involved.

Working at a global company like Cisco was a comfortable choice, but I wanted to take a bold step into the unknown. The beginning of MCS wasn’t easy, as we faced challenges related to the industry itself, and also a lack of experience, the company’s young age, and the difficulty of building client trust. Over time, our expertise grew, and people’s trust in us increased. The passion we started with became the launchpad for a successful venture.

AI has brought a major shift to cybersecurity. It’s now an essential tool for detecting and responding to cyberattacks faster and more accurately than humans can. It also enables systems to address new forms of attacks, such as behavioral attacks and zero-day attacks. AI-powered systems can detect abnormal behavior and react, unlike older protection systems that relied only on signature-based monitoring.

So far, there is no evidence that AI-powered tools used in operations have caused internal breaches. But technically, the risk remains, since we don’t fully understand the depth of these tools. That makes caution necessary, even in the absence of proof. AI is multidimensional, so if the tools themselves contain vulnerabilities, they could lead to breaches.

I’m a very routine-driven person. I wake up at 7:30am, but it doesn't take long for me to leave the house. I just have a light breakfast and coffee. On my way to the office, I use the time to make calls to early risers, check in on my mother and close friends, and organize my day. I wasn’t a regular EnterpriseAM reader before, but recently I’ve been paying a lot more attention, thanks to friends’ recommendation. I miss my children a lot since they study abroad, but when my son Ahmed is home, we start the day with some activity or breakfast together. That’s the closest thing I get to a family morning routine.

I’m from a traditional generation that prefers working from the office, which I believe boosts productivity. That said, MCS gives employees the flexibility to work remotely. Once I get to the office, I start with emails and any overdue tasks, then sync with the team to review work plans and set priorities for the day.

Reading is the habit I try to maintain daily. I have also recently adopted water fasting, where I abstain from everything but water for a day every two weeks or at least once a month. It gives me more energy and relaxation. In the evenings, I love spending time with friends whenever possible. Our get-togethers usually include playing cards or backgammon, which helps me unwind and clear my head from work stress.

For me, balance comes from clearly separating work and personal life. I make sure to start my workday early, then carve out time in the evenings to relax with friends. This separation helps me recharge and stay focused.

History and technology are my main interests when it comes to reading. Some of my all-time favorite books are by Mohamed Hassanein Heikal, including From New York to Kabul and Us…and America. I also recommend works by Moamen El Mohamady.

I also enjoy documentaries, especially those on history — like the world wars, the origins of the universe, or dinosaurs. They help me understand the present and anticipate the future.

The best piece of advice I ever received is “If you consult others, you reap the fruits of their minds.” I don’t recall exactly who said it to me, but I think it captures the value of seeking people’s opinions and expertise. Listening to different perspectives helps you form a deeper, more comprehensive vision before making decisions.

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