“The Quick Adoption of Cybersecurity and AI in Saudi Arabia Is Unbelievable.” An Exclusive Interview with Mazen Nour, IBM.

Published: November 16, 2023

It’s no secret that Saudi Arabia is undergoing one of the world’s largest and fastest technological transformations in the world. And I saw it firsthand at BlackHat MEA, where the energy was simply incredible.

So, while I was there, I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with Mazen Nour, IBM Security’s Country Leader for Saudi Arabia, to discuss the future landscape of cybersecurity and Saudi Arabia's growing tech scene.

Here's a breakdown of our conversation.

There’s a major shift in Saudi Arabia’s understanding and implementation of cybersecurity and AI.

It’s clear that Saudi Arabia is unified in its mission to invest heavily in cybersecurity and AI. And it’s starting all the way from the top.

“There is a major shift even in the fundamental understanding of cyber, the adoption and the implementation of it. It's becoming so mature that Saudi Arabia is now ranked number two in the global cybersecurity index. And I think this is a major achievement in such a short time,” says Nour.

And as Saudi Arabia changes almost daily, upskilling has become a major priority.

“We're seeing a strong focus on upskilling across various sectors, particularly in cybersecurity. This includes comprehensive training programs for roles such as analysts, threat hunters, and testers. Prioritizing skill development and localizing technology are key strategies, aligning with government priorities."

The Saudi Arabian government is all-in on AI and cybersecurity

Nour also shed light on IBM’s significant role in Saudi Arabia's tech evolution, aligning with the nation's Vision 2030.

“If you look over the last five years, the adoption of cybersecurity and AI in Saudi is unbelievable. And why? Because it is blessed by the direction and the strategy of the government,” he remarked.

This statement underscores IBM’s contribution to Saudi Arabia’s rapid technological development, which is now recognized globally.
Nour also gave an insight into where Saudi Arabia is headed in terms of data privacy.

“The Saudi Arabian government has formed multiple entities that are responsible for the adoption of AI, applying data and privacy law, as well as cybersecurity. So there are now bodies that are mandating certain controls when it comes to cyber, AI, and privacy. And you see this exponential growth within the last few years. This gives you an indication that the country is heading into an amazing future.”‍

IBM aligns with Saudi Arabia's data security vision

"We've closely aligned technologies with the local regulatory frameworks including the kingdom's recent Privacy and Data Protection Law (PDPL). This includes a comprehensive mapping of our framework to the PDPL, ensuring that our clients are well-equipped to safeguard user data in line with the latest regulations. This synergy demonstrates our commitment to data security and supports Saudi Arabia's vision of a data-driven future."

As we look toward a future where AI becomes increasingly embedded in our everyday technologies, conversations like these with industry leaders provide invaluable context and understanding of the road ahead.

“We have made amazing partnerships within the government that are aligning with Vision 2030 and how we can help the kingdom in achieving these initiatives and these targets.”

AI and cybersecurity move teams from fatigue to empowerment

IBM’s strategy for AI isn't about making a grand show of it; it's more nuanced.

“We have infused all of IBM’s AI capabilities across the whole Security portfolio. And why have we done that? Attackers are getting smarter in using AI while If you see now the cybersecurity defenders, if you look at analysts, many of them face fatigue from reviewing false positives and carrying daily repetitive tasks making it an unfair play. This infusion is changing the very nature of how skills and technology interfaces with AI, making it an intrinsic, almost unnoticeable part of the tech we use every day.”

Thank you, Mazen, for a great interview. I wish the best of luck to you, IBM, and your wonderful work moving Saudi Arabia forward.

I also want to give a big thank you to Pragati Malik at Action Global Communications for making this happen!