FEATURE: IDENTITY AND ACCESS MANAGEMENT
From insider threats to credential sprawl, cybersecurity leaders across the Middle East are grappling with one key question: Can identity systems evolve as fast as everything else?
For over a decade, the Middle East has been making substantial investments towards a digitally advanced future. From policy and government initiatives such as Saudi Arabia’ s Vision 2030 and the UAE’ s Digital Government Strategy, the region is aiming for AI-powered public services, hyperconnected economies, cloud infrastructure, and the development of smart cities.
However, this level of progress also raises an important question: as everything moves to digital, can identity and access management keep up with this shift? A new CXO Priorities survey, carried out in the region in partnership with
Okta, aims to answer this very question. Over 30 senior cybersecurity and IT leaders shared their strategies for security in this era of cloud adoption, complex digital ecosystems and AI.
What emerged was a compelling snapshot displaying both optimism and rising tension.
A region full of ambition, but not everyone is prepared
Despite a strong belief in the Middle East’ s digital potential, this belief does not always translate into preparedness. While nearly 36 % of leaders felt‘ very confident’ in managing emerging threats, 32 % admitted they are satisfied or lack confidence.
While digital infrastructure is being rolled out at record speed, several organisations haven’ t matched this with a robust identity and access management( IAM) strategy.
Confidence vs. complexity: Inside the Middle East’ s identity security challenge
24 INTELLIGENTCIO MIDDLE EAST www. intelligentcio. com