A **Cybersecurity Leader’s Warning: The Rise of Generative AI Threatens Data Security in MENA Region**
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is facing a significant cybersecurity threat, and it’s not just about the usual suspects like phishing and malware attacks. According to a recent statement by Sam Olyaei, vice president and team manager at Gartner, the emergence of **Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI)** has been a major setback for data security concerns in the region. Key Cybersecurity Concerns in MENA Region
• Social engineering: humans using deception and other tactics to gain control of someone’s computer or financial data
• Data phishing: an attack that tries to steal your personal information, including your money and identity
• Cybersecurity issues caused by fast-tracking AI technologies without proper security measures
Olyaei warned that the problem with cyber threats becomes greater when organizations want to fast-track their AI technologies to be in line with competitors and put large swaths of data into programmes like ChatGPT, OpenAI, and Microsoft Copilot without a second thought. This can lead to significant cybersecurity issues. Consequences of Cybersecurity Issues
| Industry | Examples of Cybersecurity Issues |
| — | — |
| Financial Services | Data breaches, identity theft, and loss of customer trust |
| Manufacturing | Intellectual property theft, supply chain disruptions, and reputational damage |
| Oil and Gas | Cybersecurity incidents that compromise operational safety, leading to accidents and injuries |
According to Gartner’s forecast, spending on security services in the MENA region is projected to grow 16.6 per cent in 2025, driven by cost efficiency, skill shortages, and access to advanced technology. This indicates that organizations in the region are recognizing the importance of cybersecurity and are willing to invest in it. Challenges in Cybersecurity
Olyaei identified two major challenges in cybersecurity:
1. **Enabling Digital Transformation**: CISOs must balance the need to run the business against the need to protect the business. 2. **Empowering Non-IT Professionals**: Many technology decisions are made outside of IT, and CISOs must empower these individuals to make the correct decisions in the case of a cyber risk. He also highlighted that IT security policies are too strict, and many people don’t comply with them. Additionally, 75 per cent of technology decisions in organizations are made outside of IT, so the goal is to empower those people to make the correct decisions in the case of a cyber risk. Industry-Specific Cybersecurity Challenges
• Financial Services: Mature in the way they process an organization, but still face significant cybersecurity challenges
• Manufacturing and Oil and Gas: Less mature in their cybersecurity measures, leaving them vulnerable to attacks
Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs):
• Suffer from cyberattacks the most because they don’t have the right controls in place
• Need to invest in cybersecurity measures to protect themselves from cyber threats
Olyaei concluded that cybersecurity leaders must focus on two key areas: enabling digital transformation and empowering non-IT professionals to make the correct decisions in the case of a cyber risk. Conclusion
The emergence of Generative AI has brought significant cybersecurity concerns to the MENA region. Organizations must take proactive steps to address these concerns and invest in cybersecurity measures to protect themselves from cyber threats. By empowering non-IT professionals and enabling digital transformation, CISOs can balance the need to run the business against the need to protect the business. The future of cybersecurity in the MENA region depends on it.
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