Cybersecurity Services: Cybersecurity Challenges in Saudi Arabia & How IT Support Can Help

Saudi Arabia is on the verge of experiencing digital revolution, with businesses and government services moving online faster than ever. But with great progress comes great risks as cybercriminals are always looking for ways to exploit vulnerabilities. From ransomware attacks to phishing scams, cybersecurity threats are on the rise. The question is: how can organizations stay safe? The answer lies in strong IT support and Cybersecurity Services Saudi Arabia, which acts as a digital shield against evolving cyber dangers.

This blog discusses the cybersecurity challenges in Saudi Arabia and the ways that IT support can help combat them.

Understanding Cyber-Security

During last 5 years, Saudi Arabia had been vulnerable to various attempted cyber-attacks. In 2020, Saudi Arabia recorded over 22.5 million cyber-attacks, each of which cost 6.5 million dollars to the state. According to statistics from various sources, nearly 110 million threats were detected in Saudi Arabia in 2022. Major targets were sectors like retail, military, government, telecommunication and finance. Around 40% of these cyber-attacks were successful in recent years. What can be inferred then?
Cyber-Security is no joke, if weak, it tends to take away your personal data, finances and what not. Let’s then understand Cyber-Security.

Cyber-security refers to the measures, technology and the processes involved in the protection of system networks and data prone to cyber threats. In every sector involving technology, cyber-security is imperative to protect sensitive data, ensure the financial transaction’s integrity and to maintain the company’s trust. As technology is advancing, so are the cyber-threats. Therefore, the need to leverage cyber-security has been crucial like never before.

Cyber-Security Challenges in Saudi Arabia

As discussed above, the digitalization in Saudi Arabia has increased the vulnerability of businesses to cyber-attacks as the types of cyber-risks are evolving along with the advancement.

• The most prevalent cyber-threat in KSA is ransomware. During such a type of attack, criminals encrypt company’s data and ask for ransom in return for restoration. Companies are then left in an awkward situation where they must weigh the heavy cost of paying ransom to protect the loss of sensitive data and the IT infrastructure. This is most practiced in organizations where data is extremely important to run operations which forces businesses to make decisions that could have long term consequences.
• Social engineering and Phishing attacks have become dangerously advanced. During such a type of attack a deceptive message is drafted to trick employees into giving out the sensitive information or to grant unauthorize access to the systems. This trick plays with the vulnerability of human psychology preying on even the most trained staff. As the KSA is undergoing digitalization, there has been amplification in the use of digital payments and online services, which in turn escalates the risks of cyber-attacks.
• Insider threats are a major risk for businesses. This happens when employees, either by mistake or on purpose, expose sensitive information. This could be due to carelessness or intentional wrongdoing. Such threats can cause serious harm, so companies must have strict rules to monitor and control access to important digital data. This helps protect against both accidental and deliberate security breaches.
• The increasing use of Internet of Things (IoT) devices has welcomed new risks related to cyber-security. While IoT technology focuses on improving efficiency and connectivity, the devices having weak security make them the easy target for such cyber-attacks. Industries like healthcare, manufacturing and smart cities which are a major part of Vision 2030 are exposed to such threats, which may cause major disruptions and even affect the safety of the public as well as economy.
• Advanced Persistent Threats also knows and APT’s, mostly carried out by highly organized cyber-criminal groups are advanced cyberattacks that target mainly financial institutions over a span of time, to get unauthorized access to sensitive and confidential data and system.
• Another crucial cyberattack, which is a supply chain attack usually occurs when a third-party vendor or partner is compromised by cyber-criminals to get access to systems. It is difficult to defend such attacks as they tend to break the trust and relationship between businesses or organizations.

Above mentioned cyber-security challenges are just a few listed challenges, there are lots of ways that cyber-attacks can be planned and executed. IT support companies and Cyber-security services are there to help you defy such challenges and to make sure that your data is protected from the risks of cyber-attacks. Let’s move further and see how IT support companies can help.

Best practices of IT Support and Cyber Security Services Saudi Arabia

Every problem comes with a solution. Although technological advancements have put businesses at risk all around the globe, the same technology, if used properly, can protect your organization from threats. IT Support companies in Saudi Arabia help businesses combat cyber-attacks by providing cyber-security services that fit their needs.

Here are some crucial steps for companies to take measures against cyber-threats in KSA;

• A strong way to defend against cyber threats is by using multiple layers of security. This method includes various protective measures such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, encryption, and multi-factor authentication (MFA). By putting several security layers in place, businesses create extra barriers that make it much harder for cybercriminals to succeed. This approach strengthens overall cybersecurity and helps organizations stay more resilient against potential attacks.
• Regular security audits and penetration testing play a crucial role in maintaining strong cybersecurity. Cybersecurity is not something that can be done once and forgotten; it needs ongoing monitoring and updates. By regularly checking their systems, businesses can find weaknesses and fix them in time. This helps prevent cybercriminals from taking advantage of security gaps and ensures better protection against potential threats.
• Training employees and raising awareness are key to keeping a company’s cybersecurity strong. Well-informed employees are one of the best defenses against cyber threats.
• The Zero Trust rule must be followed, means “never trust, always verify,” so every user and device must be checked before getting access.
• As more and more businesses in KSA uses IoT devices they must also focus on keeping them safe from hackers. What they can do is use encryption and update the software frequently and keep IoT devices separate from business important systems. This measure stops cyber-criminals from using such devices in attacking.
• It is also important to have a plan for dealing with cyber threats. None of the security systems in perfect and there are always chances of attacks. Therefore, a good incident response plan is important as it helps organizations to act fast and minimize the damage caused by cyber-attack and recover as soon as possible. It must include the steps to find, stop and remove threats along with the instructions on communication with employees and others.

SS & CO. KSA Cyber Security Services

SSCOKSA – IT Zones connects you with forward-thinking IT services designed to meet modern challenges. Our partner provides everything from system upgrades to cybersecurity, ensuring your business stays secure and competitive. Partner with us for technology that transforms operations. SS & CO KSA protects your organization by deploying advanced firewalls to safeguard sensitive information. We help you build a scalable IT foundation that drives growth. Move towards an empowered digital future with SS & CO KSA.