FEATURE with business goals, turning cybersecurity into a driver of productivity.
Heather Ceylan, CISO at Box: rethinking traditional workforce models – investing in upskilling and reskilling programs, strengthening partnerships with academia and leveraging global talent ecosystems.
Farida Gibbs, CEO at Gibbs Consulting:
The priorities for Q1 2026 centre on accelerating Digital Transformation while addressing the critical talent gaps that could hinder regional progress. In the Middle East and Africa, where rapid urbanisation and diversification efforts are driving economic agendas, such as the UAE ' s Vision 2031 and Saudi Arabia ' s Vision 2030, CIOs
The cybersecurity leaders of 2026 will be the ones who recognise that AI isn’ t a silver bullet – it’ s a powerful accelerator within a disciplined, well-governed security program. Trust and transparency will become true competitive advantages: understanding why an AI system makes a decision will matter just as much as how fast it makes it. Shadow AI operating outside established controls will create dangerous blind spots, giving attackers new footholds. The organisations that pair the precision of AI-driven defence with strong governance, digital hygiene, and a rigorous approach to security architecture will be the ones resilient enough to withstand the next wave of cyberthreats.
Addressing the talent gap
Addressing the technology talent gap has become a critical priority for CIOs across the Middle East and Africa, as demand for digital skills continues to outpace supply. CIOs are under increasing pressure to build and retain high-performing teams capable of supporting complex, always-on digital environments, even as budgets tighten and attrition rises. In response, many leaders across MEA are must prioritise investments in AI integration, cybersecurity resilience and sustainable cloud infrastructures to support sectors like fintech, energy and e-commerce. However, the true enabler of these initiatives is human capital.
A key focus is upskilling our workforce and partners in emerging technologies, such as Generative AI and data analytics, to not only boost operational efficiency but also fuel broader economic growth. There ' s a direct correlation here: when organisations invest in continuous learning and talent development, they create a ripple effect, empowering individuals, enhancing productivity and contributing to GDP expansion through innovation and job creation. In regions like ours, where youth unemployment remains a challenge despite booming tech sectors, upskilling bridges the skills divide, fosters inclusivity( especially for women and underrepresented groups) and positions economies for sustainable scaling.
This aligns closely with powerful recent insights on strategic investment in people – through structured approaches balancing personal growth, professional development and financial alignment – to unlock exponential business scaling. •
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INTELLIGENT CIO MIDDLE EAST www. intelligentcio. com