Leapfrogging to the future: Securing an AI-native Middle East
ME PoV Issue 50
The Middle East has emerged as a global proving ground for emerging technologies, driven by national agendas such as Saudi Vision 2030, the UAE National AI Strategy 2031, the UAE Digital Government Strategy, Qatar National Vision 2030, and Kuwait Vision 2035.
This ambition creates a unique "leapfrog paradox": the Middle East is advancing faster than many of its global peers, leaving less time to embed security into the foundation.
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The rise of Shadow AI
This has fueled the rise of Shadow AI: the unauthorized deployment of AI tools by employees without corporate oversight. Recent research highlights that nearly 40% of workers share sensitive corporate data with AI tools without their employer's knowledge.
The "new math" of quantum decryption
Cryptographically relevant quantum computers (CRQCs) could break current encryption methods as soon as the 2030s. The transition to quantum-resistant systems could take a decade, creating a dangerous gap.
The "new math" of quantum decryption
Cryptographically relevant quantum computers (CRQCs) could break current encryption methods as soon as the 2030s. The transition to quantum-resistant systems could take a decade, creating a dangerous gap.
Cyber resilience-by-design
The path forward is "cyber resilience-by-design"—a strategy that assumes a breach is always imminent, rooted in Zero Trust Architecture, and utilizes AI-powered autonomous defense to close the window of opportunity before it's too late.
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By Tariq Ajmal, Partner, Cyber Leader, Deloitte Middle East
Accelerated digitization, paired with unique geopolitical dynamics, makes the region a prime target for state-sponsored actors and cybercriminal enterprises targeting critical infrastructure.
Tariq Ajmal | Partner | Cyber leader
Read the full issue
This article is featured in ME PoV Issue 50. Read the full issue for more perspectives on what's shaping the Middle East.
