Cisco index shows 60% of Saudi firms aware of AI security threats
Study reveals 91% of Saudi enterprises plan AI agent deployment
#SaudiArabia #cybersecurity - Findings from Cisco’s third annual AI Readiness Index, reveal that 60 percent of organisations in Saudi Arabia are highly aware of AI-specific security threats, with 51 per cent already deploying artificial intelligence to enhance cybersecurity defences. The study, based on a survey of 8,000 senior IT and business leaders across 26 industries globally, shows that 91 percent of Saudi organisations plan to deploy AI agents. Released ahead of Black Hat MEA in Riyadh from 2-4 December. The index also found that 68 percent of those surveyed reported tangible gains in profitability, productivity and innovation from AI investments.
SO WHAT? - This year’s big takaway from the Cisco AI Readiness Index is that Saudi organisations are leveraging AI to strengthen cybersecurity and respond to emerging AI-driven threats. Organisations in the Kingdom seem to be priotising security in line with wider AI deployments and harnessing AI to combat threats. According to the index, 51% of organisations are actively deploying AI to enhance cybersecurity capabilities, including faster threat detection, response, and recovery.
Here are some key takeaways from the Cisco Readiness Index data:
Cisco has released some key findings about the Saudi Arabia market from its third annual AI Readiness Index. The index surveyed 8,000 senior IT and business leaders responsible for AI strategy at organisations globally with over 500 employees across 26 industries. The Saudi findings has been released ahead of Black Hat MEA cybersecurity conference in Riyadh.
The study reveals that 60 per cent of Saudi organisations demonstrate high awareness of AI-specific security threats, with 51 percent actively deploying artificial intelligence to enhance cybersecurity capabilities including faster threat detection, response and recovery mechanisms.
Some 39 percent of Kingdom organisations are integrating AI directly into their security and identity systems, whilst 39 percent report being fully equipped to control and secure AI agents across their operational environments.
AI adoption is scaling rapidly in Saudi Arabia, with 91 percent of organisations planning to deploy AI agents and 40 percent expecting these agents to work alongside employees within the next 12 months, demonstrating accelerated implementation timelines.
Two-thirds (68 percent) of Saudi organisations already report measurable gains across profitability, productivity and innovation resulting from AI investments.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]