Cloud security and Gen AI trends in KSA’s thriving cyber landscape
The world of cyber security is rapidly evolving. Two trends that will have a profound impact this year are generative AI and cloud security.
“The cybersecurity industry is gearing up for an eventful year. We’re witnessing a continuing rise of XDR, increasing demand for SASE solutions, and greater focus on supply chain security,” says Adrian Drozd, practice leader of Security at Frost & Sullivan.
Abdulaziz Jalab, Vice President and KSA Country Leader at Frost & Sullivan, said that Saudi Arabia today is a shining example of a nation that ranks as a frontrunner in the cyber industry, with a market size in 2023 estimated to be worth SAR 5 billion in services and solutions.
“Saudi Arabia has emerged as a leader in cybersecurity, backed by initiatives like the National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA). Furthermore, the implementation of the Haseen portal has elevated the overall cybersecurity experience, offering a unified hub for accessing critical cybersecurity services and solutions tailored to national entities,” said Jalab.
Exemplifying KSA’s rise in the cyber landscape, Saudi Arabia last year secured the second position in the global Cybersecurity Index conducted by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD).
Speaking about trends that will shape the remainder of 2024, both Drozd and Jalab pointed at generative AI and cloud security.
“Generative AI is poised to revolutionize cybersecurity across industries, prompting a strategic move by cybersecurity vendors. We expect a surge in investments as vendors aim to integrate AI, either through acquisitions or partnerships with AI providers. This infusion of AI into cybersecurity solutions is expected to enhance effectiveness and empower proactive defense against cyber threats,” say the experts.
With cloud uptake surging in KSA, vendors are expanding their cloud security platforms, delivering security protection across various layers – ranging from cloud infrastructure to application codes. “This expansion ensures a comprehensive code-to-cloud security context, bolstering remediation capabilities against evolving cyber threats.”
