Saudi experts are warning against aggravating cybersecurity breaches as the effects of the Russian-Ukrainian war take a toll. So far, Saudi efforts have led to adding 40 job roles for cadres working in the field of cybersecurity.
Field specialists estimated the global shortage of human cadres at more than 3 million jobs.
Saudi Arabia has become more in need of qualified human personnel due to the expansion of its technology market, which is close to a fifth of the entire market size in the Middle East.
A seminar on the national economic effects of cybersecurity showed that about 85% of cybersecurity problems are caused by human errors.
However, cyber awareness and the use of technology and job examinations with human cadres can reduce these errors.
Majed Al-Sahli, a specialist in strategy and international cooperation at the National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA), stressed that the national cybersecurity strategy reflects Saudi Arabia’s ambition in a balanced manner.
The Kingdom’s strategy is divided between safety, trust, and growth.
“The strategy is based on several foundations, namely processes, procedures, techniques and human cadres,” Al-Sahli told Asharq Al-Awsat.
In an economic forum, Al-Sahli reviewed controls developed by the NCA.
These controls included the development of cloud computing controls, operational systems, e-commerce, and remote work.
Al-Sahli pointed out the role of the coronavirus pandemic in accelerating the development process of controls.
He highlighted several of the authority’s initiatives, such as capacity building, reducing risks, and democratizing cybersecurity.
Al-Sahli also reviewed national partnerships that led to the launch of the Saudi framework for cybersecurity forces and the addition of 40 job roles in cooperation with the General Authority for Statistics and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
Moreover, the Kingdom is working on cyber education, which is a promising project that could support and graduate qualified cadres.
Saudi Arabia is more in need of qualified cadres due to the size of the technology market in the Kingdom, which is approximately 17% of the market size in the Middle East.
The Kingdom’s sizable share of the technology market in the region represents a challenge in terms of bridging the gap found in human cadres.
Arwa Al-Hamad, Director of Cybersecurity at “Sanabel,” said that cybersecurity breaches became evident during the Russian-Ukrainian war.
