Cyber Immunity: A New Security Paradigm in the UAE

Emirates

In an increasingly threat-exposed digital environment, the Emirates are stepping up their efforts to rethink how to sustainably secure their digital infrastructures. The challenge is no longer merely to respond to cyberattacks, but to prevent them from the very design stage of systems. This is one of the key takeaways of a recent global study conducted by Kaspersky, which highlights a profound shift in cybersecurity strategies in the country.

According to the study, 94% of cybersecurity professionals in the UAE say they are familiar with the concept of Secure by Design. This approach consists of embedding security at the core of IT systems from the outset, rather than adding it later through patches or additional layers of protection. It is a logic long established in critical sectors such as aviation and the space industry, where security cannot be optional.

Yet despite broad awareness of its benefits, the adoption of Secure by Design remains limited.

The obstacles are well known: higher development costs, a lack of shared standards, and the need to fundamentally rethink existing architectures. For many experts, however, these constraints are becoming secondary in the face of an explosion in threats that are increasingly automated and fueled by artificial intelligence.

It is against this backdrop that the concept of Cyber Immunity is emerging, presented as the next stage in the evolution of cybersecurity. While Secure by Design lays the methodological foundations, Cyber Immunity aims to create systems that are intrinsically resistant to attacks—systems capable of continuing to operate even when targeted, without relying on an endless cycle of updates and patches.

The study nevertheless shows that while the concept is widely recognized, it is not yet uniformly understood. For 78% of respondents, Cyber Immunity refers to systems designed to remain resilient even under attack. Sixty-four percent see it as a combination of technologies and security policies that prevent cybercriminal access. Meanwhile, 40% primarily associate it with human expertise, emphasizing the crucial role of highly skilled teams. This diversity of interpretations reflects a concept still under construction, yet already central to strategic discussions.

Another striking finding lies in the optimism of the professionals surveyed. Nearly 70% believe it is already possible—or entirely feasible—to design systems capable of withstanding cyberattacks without relying on additional security solutions. An additional quarter consider this prospect plausible, albeit with some remaining uncertainties. This shift in mindset reflects a growing awareness that reactive security models based on detection and response are reaching their limits.

Faced with increasingly sophisticated attacks, often driven by algorithms capable of anticipating traditional defenses, prevention is becoming a strategic imperative. Cyber Immunity does not promise the complete elimination of threats, but rather a drastic reduction in their potential impact.

“For companies looking ahead, Cyber Immunity is not just about better protection—it also delivers real economic advantages,” explains Dmitry Lukiyan, Head of the KasperskyOS Business Unit. “Systems designed to be secure from the outset require fewer updates, fewer additional security tools, and less involvement from IT teams, while providing more robust protection over time.”

Beyond the technical dimension, this approach transforms cybersecurity into a strategic lever. By embedding security at the heart of system architecture, organizations do more than defend themselves: they enhance reliability, gain agility, and secure their digital transformation. In a regional context where technological innovation is a key driver of growth, the ability to anticipate risk becomes a genuine competitive advantage.

As the digital landscape continues to grow more complex, Cyber Immunity is emerging as a structuring response to the challenges of tomorrow. For organizations that choose to adopt it today, the goal is not merely to protect themselves, but to position themselves at the forefront of an increasingly unstable digital world—where resilience has become a prerequisite for performance.

Caroline Haïat