Our investments in the Kingdom continue to support its digital transformation efforts

Cisco’s Commitment to Digital Transformation and Cyber Security in Saudi Arabia

Cisco has announced a significant increase in its cyber security budget in Saudi Arabia. Salman Faqih, CEO of Cisco in Saudi Arabia, discussed this development in an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat. He highlighted that the Kingdom’s focus on information technology is reflected in Cisco’s strong performance and consistent growth in the region.

The Saudi technology sector has shown remarkable progress. Cisco recognizes this improvement and aims to support the Kingdom’s digital transformation efforts. In 2023, Cisco opened a regional office in Riyadh to enhance its operations in the Middle East and North Africa.

Since launching the Digital Transformation Program in 2016 as part of Vision 2030, Cisco has successfully completed over 20 projects. These projects focus on vital areas such as healthcare, education, and smart cities. Saudi Arabia ranks second among G20 countries in the Information and Communication Technology Development Index for 2024, showing significant achievements in digital transformation.

Cyber security is a top priority for the Kingdom, especially with the rise of cyber threats. Faqih noted that a recent Cisco survey indicated that 99% of companies have increased their cyber security budgets. Despite this, 67% of companies reported experiencing security incidents in the past year.

In terms of technological readiness, Cisco’s findings show that 93% of Saudi companies have strategies for artificial intelligence. However, only 7% of them are fully prepared with the necessary infrastructure.

Cisco has made a notable impact on technological training in Saudi Arabia through its networking program. Over 336,000 individuals, including a significant proportion of female trainees, have benefitted from this initiative. Additionally, Cisco collaborates with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology to improve the learning environment with advanced technologies.

Cisco is also committed to environmental sustainability, aiming for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. The company focuses on creating energy-efficient technological solutions that align with the Kingdom’s carbon neutrality goals.

Cisco will participate as a strategic sponsor in the Black Hat Cybersecurity Conference in Riyadh from November 26 to 28. The company aims to strengthen collaboration with local clients and partners by showcasing innovative security solutions that ensure data protection and support the safe use of artificial intelligence technologies.