As Saudi Arabia advances toward the ambitious goals of Vision 2030, targeting economic diversification and technological leadership, enterprise networks are emerging as a strategic pillar of this transformation.
More than a communications tool, they are the backbone enabling innovation, boosting operational efficiency, and supporting the adoption of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence.
A global Cisco study estimates that network outages cost the world economy $160 billion annually. In Saudi Arabia, the stakes are even higher. Tarek Al-Turki, Director of Solutions Engineering at Cisco Saudi Arabia, told Asharq Al-Awsat that 73 percent of leading IT firms in the Kingdom reported major outages over the past two years due to congestion, cyberattacks, and configuration errors.
In response, 94 percent have increased network budgets to invest in smarter, more secure infrastructures, which are aimed at reducing losses, strengthening trust, and ensuring business continuity.
“Enterprise networks are not just a service,” Al-Turki explained. “They are a strategic enabler of innovation and digitization under Vision 2030, delivering speed, security, and low latency for technologies such as AI.”
Networks for the AI Era
With the rise of agent-based AI, where autonomous programs can execute entire processes, networks face unprecedented challenges in speed, scale, and security. Cisco is developing AI-powered networking tools designed to make systems faster, more efficient, and more secure. In partnership with companies like Nvidia, it is working on networks capable of supporting billions of AI agents globally without compromising safety.
Local vs. Cloud Infrastructure
Cisco’s research shows that 67 percent of Saudi data centers do not yet meet current AI requirements. As a result, 90 percent of technology leaders plan to expand capacity through either local or cloud-based infrastructure.
“Today’s networks need significant upgrades in processing, transport, and protection to support GPUs and end-to-end data security,” Al-Turki said.
He added that 62 percent of Saudi IT leaders view fragmented systems as a serious obstacle, and argued that automation, network intelligence, and centralized control are the solutions.
“Imagine a single dashboard that lets you see and manage everything,” he said, pointing to the future of integrated, intelligent enterprise networks.
Automation in the Modern Workplace
In an era of hybrid work and AI, constant manual adjustments are no longer sustainable. According to Cisco, 97 percent of IT leaders in the Kingdom expect automation to bring major improvements in efficiency and error reduction. Automation also strengthens cybersecurity by rapidly enforcing policies, detecting threats early, and enabling networks to scale seamlessly.
Nearly all business leaders in Saudi Arabia - 98 percent - consider secure networks essential for growth. Yet 91 percent of companies faced cyber incidents last year, often fueled by AI-driven threats. Al-Turki noted that 93 percent of organizations are already deploying AI to enhance security. Cisco itself is contributing with tools such as AI Defense and a local security data center that provides services including Secure Access and AI-powered Umbrella DNS.
Balancing Performance and Sustainability
AI applications consume vast amounts of energy, making sustainability a central concern. Cisco’s solutions, such as Cisco Silicon One, deliver high-performance, energy-efficient chips that combine environmental responsibility with technical innovation.
“With 90 percent of technology leaders in the Kingdom planning to expand infrastructure, the direction is clear: pairing sustainability with innovation,” Al-Turki said.
He stressed that public-private partnerships are vital to achieving Vision 2030. Through its Country Digital Acceleration program, Cisco has implemented more than 20 national projects since 2016, including broadband expansion, and is now working to connect and secure Saudi Arabia’s emerging AI ecosystem.
Ensuring Continuity in Critical Sectors
As reliance on networks grows in healthcare, energy, and finance, continuity has become a necessity. Cisco points to a framework built on zero-trust security, automated threat detection, backup systems, and continuous workforce training as key to reducing human error and ensuring resilience.
From running AI applications to safeguarding sensitive data, smart networks are proving to be a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation.
“Networks today do more than support business. They lead it, driving growth, resilience, and innovation,” Al-Turki added.
