The AI and Cyber: Empowering Defenders report, developed in collaboration with KPMG, highlights measurable gains in cost reduction, response speed and resilience.

When businesses increasingly rely on AI to make decisions, a manipulated dataset can cause more harm than a ransomware attack, says Gerald Beuchelt, Chief Information Security Officer at Acronis.

Adept at grasping context, planning and adaptive problem-solving, the agentic AI execute complex, multi-step processes with minimal human intervention or oversight.

Digital sovereignty, in my view, is no longer a technical concept — it’s a cornerstone of national independence and strategic stability, says Lt. Colonel Al Shebli in an interview to GISEC GLOBAL

Dubai, UAE-- On the day 4 of GITEX GLOBAL 2025, policymakers, cybersecurity leaders, and innovators convened to address the most pressing question of the intelligent age--how to secure a world powered by AI and data. While cybersecurity and resilience dominated the day’s discourse, the show floor remained a convergence of...

The Annual Meeting on Cybersecurity, held jointly with the Global Future Councils, focused on strengthening global cooperation to enhance digital trust, resilience and collective readiness for emerging threats.

The World Economic Forum will convene more than 500 experts from government, business, academia, international organizations, civil society and media, alongside 150 of the world’s foremost cybersecurity leaders

DUBAI, UAE – A powerful confluence of more than 500 experts and 150 cybersecurity leaders has converged in Dubai for the World Economic Forum's inaugural joint session of the Annual Meetings of the Global Future Councils and Cybersecurity. The crucial, three-day summit, running from October 14 to 16, 2025, is...

Abu Dhabi, UAE --  The UAE Cyber Security Council (CSC) has warned of growing risks linked to users’ digital footprints, saying more than 1.4 billion accounts are hacked globally each month. The council said every login, post or interaction online leaves a trace that can be exploited. It identified two...

Abu Dhabi, UAE --  The UAE Cyber Security Council (CSC) has warned of the serious risks posed by using open and untrusted public Wi-Fi networks, revealing that more than 12,000 breaches have been recorded through such networks in the country since the beginning of this year. According to the Council,...

Cloudflare, a leading connectivity cloud company recently published an Op-Ed by Grant Bourzikas, CSO, tackling IT security predictions for 2025

In 2024, cybersecurity remained central, addressing skill gaps and the impact of generative AI. A Strategic Cybersecurity Talent Framework offered solutions to workforce shortages, while reports underscored resilience against rising cyber risks. The global outage in July and ongoing cybercrime challenges reinforced the need for collaborative efforts to protect economies...

While AI accelerates the detection and management of threats, cybercriminals also leverage this technology for sophisticated attacks, says WEF's cybersecurity expert Filipe Beato.

"Threat actors can employ artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms to identify vulnerabilities and adapt their tactics in real-time, making it difficult for conventional security measures to keep up." he adds.

During Ramadan, GCC residents are using digital tools that are enhancing the observance of this sacred month, offering new ways to connect, learn, and shop.

The GCC is at a critical juncture, facing the dual challenge of embracing blockchain innovation while combating crypto crime, says Nicola Buonanno of Chainalysis.

Achieving Zero Trust Data Resilience is not an overnight task but a journey requiring organizational alignment, continuous adaptation, and the implementation of robust backup and recovery practices to safeguard against modern cyber threats, adds Russell, the Vice President, Enterprise Strategy at Veeam.

While love, loneliness, and excitement are easily exploitable emotions, any factor impacting someone’s emotional state can make them a target. Recently, criminals in the region have exploited the vulnerabilities of the unemployed, with an uptick in those posing as fake job recruiters or placing fraudulent ads online, he adds.

Industries are increasingly investing in transformative technologies, including cybersecurity, sustainable solutions and AI, Sapthagiri Chapalapalli tells TRENDS in an interview.

The sophistication of GenAI-driven phishing attacks requires robust security, including advanced DDoS protection and proactive cyber resilience strategies, says an expert.

"The digital transformation, which relies on artificial intelligence technologies, has touched all sectors and contributes to improving the quality of life and supporting businesses. This transformation promotes sustainable development toward a more advanced and prosperous future," Al Kuwaiti adds.

"Technologies such as Generative AI presents new security challenges. The rise of automated spear phishing necessitates reevaluating our trust heuristics. Where once professionalism's appearance sufficed for trust, now more stringent communication verification protocols are needed," he adds.

The Middle East's oil and gas sector also stays on hit list of of cyberattackers, Trellix CEO Bryan Palma tells TRENDS, stressing the need for widespread cybersecurity investments.

In the GCC's evolving cybersecurity realm, AI integration is crucial, driving economic growth and transforming defense strategies against complex cyber threats.

"Detecting these attacks and avoiding falling victim to them is vital, but the ability to take down lookalike domains is equally important. The increasing sophistication and prevalence of lookalike domain attacks necessitate specialized solutions like DNS security as an essential tool for all organizations," he adds.

The GCC region is on the brink of a major tech revolution, led by advancements in AI, fintech, and sustainable technology, UAE-based tech expert Dua Al Toobi tells TRENDS.

Companies in the region are leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance customer experiences, streamline operations, and stay competitive in the dynamic marketplace.

Despite last year's challenges, the region is set to see robust growth this year, led by the UAE, which is expected to top the economic performance with a 4% GDP growth.

In 2023, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait collectively advanced in technology and sustainable development, achieving global integration.

"Critical infrastructure organizations are distinct from other enterprises; their downfall could bring entire sectors of the economy down with them. It is hoped that in the coming year, the industrial control system's security will receive the comprehensive overhaul it so urgently requires," adds Selcuk.

AMMAN, JORDAN - National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) seeks to regulate the Kingdom's cybersecurity market by outlining and endorsing the related legislation.In a statement to "Petra," NCSC head, Bassam Maharmeh, said one of the center's key measures focuses on issuing Cybersecurity Services Licensing System, which would "effectively" contribute to strengthening...

Seoul, South Korea - Microsoft has seized the websites of a Vietnam-based group it alleges sold millions of fake accounts to cybercriminals who used them for ransomware attacks, identity theft and other scams around the world. The group, identified by Microsoft as Storm-1152, developed sophisticated tools to defeat the US tech giant's...

Rapid cloud adoption in the two GCC countries is accompanied by increased security risks, leading to costly data breaches, reveals a latest study by Illumio.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - Company bosses are boosting their cybersecurity following an alarming increase in cyberattacks, a new study commissioned by Kaspersky has found. The data shows that 71 percent of companies in Saudi Arabia suffered at least one cyber incident over the last two years. One of the main...

Davos, Switzerland -- Denmark, the Netherlands, and Germany have emerged as the leading countries for remote working, offering the best combination of cybersecurity, economic stability, infrastructure, and social safety, the latest Global Remote Work Index 2023 said. The index, which evaluates 108 countries, is a crucial tool for remote workers...

With cyber-attacks up to 85% from 76% last year, organizations must prioritize proven backup and recovery plans to stay ahead of threats, even if it means redesigning containerized environments to avoid being caught off-guard by ransomware, Cade adds.

AI has emerged as a transformative force in various sectors, revolutionizing how businesses operate, make decisions, and secure their assets, says a study.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – The three day 7th edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII7)  which ended on October 24 saw $17.9 billion in investments across multiple sectors. FII7 focused on the latest trends in technology and investment, delving into areas such as space and aviation, biotechnology, cybersecurity, robotics, venture...

Abu Dhabi, UAE--The UAE Cybersecurity Council will organise the Regional Cybersecurity Week 2023 from October 8-12, under the title "Cybersecurity Innovation and Industry Development." The event will be held in cooperation with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Arab Regional Cybersecurity Centre (ARCC). More than 100 experts and speakers...

As GCC leads in digital innovations, there's an urgent need for strong cybersecurity to combat increasingly complex threats targeting governments, businesses, and individuals.

The region's IT spending is set to rise by 4% to $183.8 billion in 2024, with software and IT services witnessing double-digit growth, and device spending recovering post-2023 decline.

Amman, Jordan - The UAE Cyber Security Council discussed cybersecurity in the inaugural Jordan Cyber Security Summit 2023, known as DOT Cyber Summit 2023. The DOT Cyber Summit 2023 explored issues related to cyber policies and strategies, international issues related to cyber risks and threats faced by countries. This includes...

The region's IT spending is set to rise by 4% to $183.8 billion in 2024, with software and IT services witnessing double-digit growth, and device spending recovering post-2023 decline.

Splunk is a software platform that uses AI to identify malware.

"The banking and financial sector, being a prime target for cybercriminals, necessitates evolving solutions and strategies for protection. Regulatory compliance is vital, and stakeholders recognize that it extends beyond legalities to ensure adherence to top-tier cybersecurity standards," he adds.

While speaking at the International Government Communication Forum in Sharjah, he emphasized that it's essential to regulate technology and overall policies to ensure cybersecurity and ethical AI use, stressing the necessity of local regulations in addition to international standards.

The two worlds of artificial intelligence and cybercrime are starting to collide, with cybercriminals trading tips in online forums on the best ways to get chatbots to generate phishing emails. The big players block users from generating these kinds of emails, so developers have designed programs aimed at creating phishing...

"Today, the Kingdom takes pride in its advanced technological sector, which has solidified its regional and global position as a leading tech hub. With national digital capabilities boasting global qualifications and enabling digital infrastructure, these collective advancements get reflected in international indices and reports," he adds.

The study showed a correlation between the size of a company and the risk of cyberattacks. Based on a survey of 400 board members from both larger, listed companies and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the study found that only 18 percent of firms with under 50 employees had faced...

In 2023, data breach costs in the Middle East soared to $8 million, marking a 155.9% rise over a decade, with the financial sector bearing the brunt, a report points out.