FEATURE: TRENDS IN CYBERSECURITY SOLUTIONS
systems. These tools are essential but they often miss internal threats such as lateral movement, insider attacks, and zero-day exploits,” says Emad Fahmy, Systems Engineering Director, NETSCOUT.
Once attackers breach the perimeter, traditional systems lack visibility into deeper network activity. This blind spot allows malicious actors to remain undetected while executing advanced tactics, often mapped in the MITRE ATT & CK framework.
“ Modern cybersecurity solutions face limitations such as over-reliance on technology without sufficient human oversight, and fragmented toolsets creating integration and visibility challenges. Despite advancements, threats like AI-driven deepfakes and ransomware continue to outpace detection capabilities,” says Harun Baykal, Head of Cybersecurity Practice Middle East and Africa, NTT DATA.
“ Cloud misconfigurations and weak supply chain defences remain vulnerabilities. Budget and staffing shortages hinder effective response, especially for small to mid-sized businesses. Generative AI introduces new risks around misuse and unsecured deployment,” continues Baykal.
“ As a result, data is often fragmented, disorganised and lacks context, making it difficult to effectively prioritise risks, report on security posture and answer basic security questions,” continues Jadallah.
Challenges of ramping up future skills
“ Automation is particularly important in cybersecurity given the ongoing shortage of expert security staff. However, human oversight will still be vitally important. Security teams will need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to understand, interpret, and manage AI-driven security systems effectively,” says Alain Penel, Vice President, Middle East, Türkiye and CIS, Fortinet.
AI excels at tactical responses based on predefined rules. However, defining security policies, understanding risk tolerance, and making strategic decisions still require human expertise and intuition.
“ Analysing new and evolving threats, understanding their potential impact, and developing innovative countermeasures will also still require human intelligence and creativity, adds Penel.
“ A deep understanding of an organisations systems is required to assess threats, protect assets, and prioritise those things that present the most risk. Machines and tools cannot analyse all of this and produce results, they can only present the relevant information to the person who can apply that analytical judgement,” adds Chester Wisniewski, Field CISO, Sophos.
“ What most people do not appreciate is that cybersecurity is a big data problem. Typically, organisations rely on up to 140 disconnected security tools, creating siloes that hinder efficiency and create blind spots,” says Maher Jadallah, Vice President, Middle East and North Africa, Tenable.
“ In modern cybersecurity, if you know how to run an AI prompt or prompt AI for what you need, it is taking the knowledge and skill factor many used to bring to the table out of the equation,” says Christopher Hills, Chief Security Strategist, BeyondTrust.
“ A strong grasp of how networks, operating systems, applications, endpoints, databases work is essential. These foundational skills enable professionals to understand cyber hygiene, identify vulnerabilities, and assess risk effectively. Mastering the basics is, and always will be, the backbone of effective cybersecurity,” points out Help AG’ s Kukoljac.
“ Skills in automation, orchestration, and behavioural analytics are increasingly essential, but so is the ability to collaborate with AI to outpace today’ s adversaries,” says Anomali’ s Depret-Bixio.
“ Today’ s security tools can only enhance human beings, not replace them. Much of the hype and promise of many solutions is that they can replace workers, yet the best implementations make your existing workforce more effective,” says Sophos’ Wisniewski.
“ Good communication and teamwork matter just as much as technical skills. Cybersecurity is a team effort, and being able to explain risks or train others is a big part of the job,” emphasises Osama Alzoubi, VP MEA, Phosphorus.
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