A little over half of surveyed business leaders in the Middle East are concerned about lack of funding as the primary obstacle for cybersecurity, compared to only 36 per cent of global leaders who face similar challenges.
In its Future of Cyber report, Deloitte has provided crucial data based on extensive Middle East and global surveys, as well as analysis and insights for business leaders seeking to inform their cybersecurity strategies.
In today’s rapidly evolving digital world, organisations face a constant barrage of cyber threats.
To effectively navigate this ever-changing landscape and safeguard their critical assets, organisations must adopt a proactive and strategic approach to cybersecurity.
The survey revealed 69 per cent of Middle East respondents emphasising the strategic need for training and certification programmes to engage, retain and develop cyber talent within organisations.
The report showcases the current levels of awareness around cyber needs in the market, with a notable 52 per cent of respondents in the Middle East emphasising the huge impact of cybersecurity on the success of digital transformation initiatives.
In addition, 61 per cent of respondents highlighted the integral role of cybersecurity in supporting comprehensive business disruption planning.
The study also revealed that 55 per cent of regional leaders reported achieving a positive business impact as a result of implementing cybersecurity strategies.
According to Tariq Ajmal, Cyber leader at Deloitte Middle East: "As organisations face a constant barrage of cyber threats in today's rapidly evolving digital world, it’s important to adopt a strategic approach to effectively safeguard critical assets. A proactive approach to cybersecurity is paramount, as it focuses on building long term value and is considered an essential part of the framework for businesses to produce their desired outcomes."
He said: "Businesses need to build resilience against disruption by planning for complex events and developing proactive incident response plans. There’s a need to view cybersecurity as a key business enabler through adequate funding, as well as training existing talent and actively recruiting top professionals."
The report outlined essential components that organisations should consider when preparing for an evolving cyber landscape, including:
• Embracing continuous digital transformation and prioritizing cybersecurity throughout their journeys.
• Building resilience for disruption by planning for complex events and developing proactive incident response plans.
• Viewing cyber as a business enabler that can bring significant organisational benefits.
• Ensuring adequate funding for cybersecurity to support their initiatives and protect critical assets.
• Nurturing and attract cyber talent by training existing talent and actively recruiting top professional.
