As the Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa (META) region continues to evolve digitally, cybersecurity remains a critical concern for organizations. By 2025, several key focus areas are expected to dominate the cybersecurity landscape in the META region. A significant shift towards “best in platform” solutions over individual “best in breed” products is anticipated, driven by the need for comprehensive cybersecurity frameworks that can address the region’s pronounced skills gap and the increasing complexity of cyber threats. Integrated solutions offer streamlined and manageable security, which is crucial for organizations facing financial constraints and rapid digital transformation.

With the surge in identity-related breaches, Identity and Access Management (IAM) is set to be the paramount area for security investment. Following IAM, data security is another critical area of focus. The implementation of data privacy initiatives in countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar has heightened the importance of protecting sensitive information. Organizations are expected to invest heavily in data security solutions to comply with regional regulations and safeguard their data. Developing a robust security awareness culture is crucial in combating phishing and malware attacks. The rise of generative AI technologies has made phishing attacks more sophisticated, necessitating enhanced security awareness programs. Organizations are likely to invest in training and awareness initiatives to mitigate these evolving threats. Additionally, securing Operational Technology (OT) infrastructure is vital for protecting critical services, especially in the energy sector.

The geopolitical dynamics of the META region increase the risk of sophisticated cyberattacks on vital services. Regulatory initiatives and the need to maintain public trust further underscore the importance of robust OT security measures. By focusing on these areas, organizations in the META region can strengthen their cybersecurity posture and enhance their resilience against emerging threats. The strategic emphasis on integrated solutions, IAM, data security, security awareness, and OT security reflects a comprehensive approach to addressing the complex cybersecurity challenges in the region.

GenAI was coming. Predictive AI was coming. No . . . wait, it was already here. Anyway, we sit here today focused on the art and the genuineness of the possible.

As we consider and dream of the possible, we sometimes forget the reality of the now. Between the hype around GenAI and the COVID-19 pandemic before that, we sometimes fail to acknowledge that cybersecurity has grown up. Once the dominion of hoodie-wearing basement dwellers, the topic has elevated to the C-suite and beyond. Attacks from the cyberthreat landscape do not just present a technical risk — the ramifications create a risk to the organization itself. In essence, cyber risk equals business risk.

Unlike many other corporate functions, cybersecurity did not develop from the typical path of strategy, goals, policies then tactics. It started in reverse with tactics first, then policies, then goals, and finally to strategy — if it made it there at all. The result is that formal strategy is really more of an amalgamation of small tactical decisions over time. This opportunistic cybersecurity strategy creation makes it challenging for organizations that are looking to create competitive advantages with AI. Thus, security needs to evolve from the tactical to the strategic, from being reactive to being proactive, from being an inhibitor to an enabler.

Cybersecurity leaders must now think strategically and act as business leaders alongside the executives of their organizations — creating insights, aiding executives in decision-making, and showing an organization’s risk posture are all critical for cybersecurity leaders’ success in today’s fast-changing threat landscape and regulatory environment.

The IDC Security Roadshow & CISO Excellence Awards looks to address security in this new reality of security becoming an enabling function for AI-created competitive advantage. We aim to guide you in working with the CEO and board of directors as we transition to delivering secure outcomes and a trusted organization to our executive constituencies.