Cisco: UAE organisations embrace AI security solutions
Cisco survey finds 96% of UAE organisations deploy AI for threat intelligence
#UAE #cybersecurity - Nearly all UAE organisations have adopted AI-powered cybersecurity solutions with 96% using artificial intelligence for threat intelligence and 93% for threat detection, according to US networking giant Cisco's 2025 Cybersecurity Readiness Index. However, only 30% of UAE companies have achieved mature cybersecurity readiness levels, whilst 87% report critical skills shortages with over half facing more than 10 vacant cybersecurity positions.
SO WHAT? - The findings reveal somewhat of a paradox where UAE organizations lead globally in AI cybersecurity adoption yet remain vulnerable due to talent shortages and complex security infrastructures. With 93% of UAE firms experiencing AI-related security incidents last year and 75% expecting business disruptions within 24 months, the research highlights urgent gaps between technological capability and operational readiness.
Here are some key facts about the new findings:
US networking giant Cisco has released UAE findings for its 2025 Cybersecurity Readiness Index, after surveying 202 UAE organizations as part of a broader analysis of 8,000 private sector security leaders across 30 global markets, evaluating readiness across five cybersecurity pillars.
Over half of UAE organizations (55%) suffered cyberattacks in the past year, with malware incidents affecting 76%, phishing attacks impacting 59%, and data breaches by malicious actors affecting 47%.
Generative AI deployment presents significant oversight challenges, with 54% of IT teams unaware of employee interactions with generative AI tools and 20% of staff having unrestricted access to public AI platforms.
Shadow AI concerns affect 33% of organizations who lack confidence in detecting unregulated AI deployments, creating substantial cybersecurity and data privacy risks for enterprise networks.
Complex security infrastructures hamper threat response capabilities, with 81% of organizations reporting that deploying more than 10 point security solutions impedes their ability to respond effectively to cyber incidents.
Investment priorities reveal a concerning gap, with 98% of organizations planning IT infrastructure upgrades but only 9% allocating more than 20% of IT budgets to cybersecurity measures.
Hybrid work models increase vulnerability as 88% of organizations face heightened security risks from employees accessing corporate networks through unmanaged personal devices and unapproved AI tools.
Only 62% of respondents express confidence that employees fully understand AI-related cybersecurity threats, whilst 57% believe their teams grasp how malicious actors exploit AI for sophisticated attacks.
ZOOM OUT - The UAE's high AI adoption rate in cybersecurity reflects the national priority placed on cybersecurity. In February, the UAE launched its new National Cybersecurity Strategy, backed by over $2 billion in government investment to combat escalating cyber threats. The five-year strategy focuses aims to enable rapid innovation, whilst protecting critical infrastructure, and positioning the Emirates as a leader in secure digital transformation across the region.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]
