NEWS
AI drives cybersecurity strategy for 70 % of Middle East firms
recent report from Boston Consulting Group( BCG) reveals
A that Middle East organisations are emerging as global frontrunners in the race to combat AI-powered cyber threats, with the region demonstrating exceptional commitment to cybersecurity investment, talent acquisition, and the deployment of advanced defensive technologies.
The report based on a global BCG survey of 500 senior leaders, titled AI Is Raising the Stakes in Cybersecurity, examines how AI is reshaping the cyber threat landscape while offering powerful new tools for organisational defense.
More than 70 % of organisations in the region stated they have experienced a suspected AI-enabled cyber-attack in the past year. At the same time, the Middle East has the highest percentage of companies prioritising AI to improve cyber defenses at 70 %, reflecting a forward-looking approach to security. However, budgets have yet to fully align with this vision.
“ The timing of these findings is critical. We are now operating in an environment where AI-enabled attacks are scaling faster than traditional security measures can respond, passive defense is no longer viable,” said Shoaib Yousuf, Managing Director & Partner at BCG.“ The Middle East invested ahead of the curve, treating cybersecurity as a board-level strategic priority rather than a technical issue. That foresight is now proving essential, and the gap between prepared organisations and those still building foundational capabilities will only widen.”
GEMS Education and Oracle prepare UAE students for the AI economy
GEMS Education has signed a memorandum of understanding( MoU) with Oracle to equip GEMS secondary students and alumni with futureproof, industry-recognised digital skills. As part of the collaboration, GEMS schools will participate in Oracle University’ s Skills Development Initiative( SDI), which offers access to high-quality learning content and foundational certification in Artificial Intelligence( AI), data analytics, and cloud computing at no cost to learners.
In a first for Oracle University’ s Skills Development Initiative, the programme is being extended to a private school network, bringing industry-grade learning experiences, typically oriented towards higher-education students and working professionals looking to upskill / reskill, directly into secondary education.
The collaboration enables GEMS to shift from general digital exposure to a structured upskilling model, focused on building foundational skills and empowering students to progress from awareness to capability to certification. To ensure measurable impact at scale, the MoU introduces clearly defined targets to upskill a minimum of 11,000 learners across the GEMS network over three years and certify 50 % of the participants.
Shoaib Yousuf, Managing Director & Partner at BCG
As part of this programme, GEMS students and alumni can access Oracle MyLearn platform with structured, step-bystep progressive learning pathways that support continuous upskilling from foundation to advanced levels. The platform features high-demand essential courses on a diverse range of topics, including foundations of AI and generative AI, cloud computing fundamentals, data platforms and analytics, cybersecurity, and enterprise applications, such as ERP, HCM, and CX.
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INTELLIGENT CIO MIDDLE EAST www. intelligentcio. com