In recent years, the United Arab Emirates has emerged as a global hub for technology and innovation. With rapid digitization across various sectors and an increasing reliance on digital infrastructure, the country has witnessed a parallel rise in cybersecurity threats. From sophisticated cyberattacks targeting government entities to ransomware attacks on businesses, the threat landscape in the UAE is evolving rapidly, presenting significant challenges for CISOs tasked with safeguarding critical assets and data. According to IDC, there has been a cybersecurity spending growth in the UAE that surpassed projections with a CAGR of 11.2 % in 2022 and 2027 and is forecasted to cross 4 billion AED in 2024.
One of the recurring themes among security leaders is the importance of adaptability in the face of evolving cyber threats. With adversaries constantly innovating and refining their tactics, organizations must remain vigilant and agile in their approach to cybersecurity. This necessitates a proactive mindset, continuous monitoring of threat landscapes, and a willingness to invest in cutting-edge security technologies.
“How do we CISOs adapt our strategies today? We need to start looking beyond the fog of what we have been carrying on, decision-makers of today and the next-generation should be looking and thinking outside the box,” says Dr. Grigorios Fragkos, Head of Cybersecurity, Sharjah Cybersecurity Center. “It has been said that the CISO role is moving towards a COO role, I heard many times in the past we have a problem with the CISO role and it’s interesting because we do have a problem because if I ask people to define the role of the CISO, each person will give us a different response,” adds.
