Riyadh – International Data Corporation (IDC) today hosted the Saudi Arabia edition of its IDC Security Roadshow 2022, with more than 180 of the country's most influential security leaders in attendance at the Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel. The event addressed the theme 'Elevating the Security of the Future Enterprise'.

As cybersecurity gains strategic weight on the executive-level agenda, new challenges and opportunities are arising, but only 21% of Saudi organizations recently surveyed by IDC have an end-to-end security strategy in place that includes shared responsibilities, risk tolerance, classified events, and a recovery plan in case of an attack. Another 40% have a partially developed security strategy in place, while 12% have implemented a security strategy but not formally tested or reviewed it yet.

Organizations are still lagging when it comes to implementing security solutions, but this is not the only challenge. The skills gap is huge in terms of security professionals, not only in Saudi Arabia, but also globally. Cybersecurity professionals were already scarce before the pandemic, but due to the increase in remote working and the evolving threat landscape after the pandemic’s onset, demand for security skills has heightened further. These skills are now in short supply, and their cost is constantly rising.

"Evolving digital transformation strategies and shifting industry dynamics across Saudi Arabia are driving organizations to innovate and explore new technologies and delivery models," said Hamza Naqshbandi, IDC’s associate vice president for Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, as he presented the event's opening keynote. "In turn, this is creating a complex ecosystem beset by new cybersecurity challenges. As a result, cybersecurity is no longer limited to protecting technology assets but must also ensure business resiliency. Indeed, 54% of Saudi organizations surveyed by IDC said that their security departments are now involved in the planning and assessment stage for all new developments."

The Saudi Arabia edition of the IDC Security Roadshow 2022 explained why ensuring visibility and control across the entire technology footprint is now vital for organizational survival. With pressing challenges to the security of the future enterprise firmly in mind, industry experts explored a raft of transformative technologies, dissected the ever-growing threat landscape, and examined the increasingly sophisticated nature of cyberattacks. The event showcased insights from a range of respected industry thought leaders as they presented sessions on topics such as:

• Simplifying Your Zero Trust Journey

• Securing Modern Applications: What You Need to Know Now

• Confronting the New Wave of Cyberattacks

• The Role of Threat Intelligence Within a Cyber Defense Strategy

• Keeping your Enterprise Business Safe with Security

• Managed Cyber Defense: When Professionals Fight Professionals

• Weathering the Threat Storm

• Looking Beyond the Obvious: A Comprehensive Approach to Investigating & Managing Risks

The agenda also incorporated fascinating end-user insights from Khalid Al Faheid, CISO of Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture (MEWA), as he presented proven best practices for developing the cybersecurity capabilities required to thrive to secure the future enterprise. The event culminated with the official launch of an exclusive new IDC and Microsoft white paper titled 'Cybersecurity KSA: A Digital Transformation Imperative', with all attendees receiving a complementary copy of the report, which explores all the latest trends and developments shaping cybersecurity investments in the Kingdom.

To learn more about the IDC Security Roadshow 2022, please contact Sheila Manek at [email protected]   or on +971 4 446 3154. You can also join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #IDCITSECURITY.

The Saudi Arabia edition of the IDC Security Roadshow 2022  in Riyadh was supported by the following organizations: Platinum Partners: VMware, Checkmarx, Mimecast, Kaspersky, Oracle, Help AG, CrowdStrike, Microsoft; Gold Partners: SentinelOne, Odyssey, Secureworks / Redington, Veeam, Juniper Networks, Rubrik, Trellix, Attack IQ, Saudi Business Machines; Exhibit Partner: Forescout; Media Partners: Media Partners: International Business Magazine, Cyber Defense Magazine.

About IDC

International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,300 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology, IT benchmarking and sourcing, and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG), the world's leading tech media, data, and marketing services company. To learn more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com. Follow IDC on Twitter at @IDC  and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the IDC Blog  for industry news and insights.

IDC in the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa

For the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa region, IDC retains a coordinated network of offices in Riyadh, Nairobi, Lagos, Johannesburg, Cairo, and Istanbul, with a regional center in Dubai. Our coverage couples local insights with international perspectives to provide a comprehensive understanding of markets in these dynamic regions. Our market intelligence services are unparalleled in depth, consistency, scope, and accuracy. IDC Middle East, Africa, and Turkey currently fields over 130 analysts, consultants, and conference associates across the region. To learn more about IDC MEA, please visit www.idc.com/mea. You can follow IDC MEA on Twitter at @IDCMEA.

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