Emirates : Companies are betting on AI to strengthen their cybersecurity

Dubai

In the United Arab Emirates, artificial intelligence is emerging as a strategic lever to modernize Security Operations Centers, known as SOCs. According to a global study conducted by Kaspersky, 99 percent of the organizations surveyed plan to integrate AI into their security operations. More specifically, 70 percent of companies in the UAE say they will probably do so, while 30 percent state they will definitely do so. This momentum reflects a strong conviction that AI has become essential for detecting threats faster and improving the overall efficiency of cybersecurity teams.

Organizations primarily expect AI to strengthen detection capabilities through automated data analysis to identify anomalies and suspicious activities. They are also relying on response automation to execute predefined incident response scenarios more quickly. The objective is to improve alert accuracy, reduce false positives, and free analysts from repetitive tasks so they can focus on more complex threats.

However, a significant gap remains between strategic ambition and operational reality. One of the main obstacles identified is the lack of high quality training data, cited by 32 percent of organizations in the UAE. Without reliable and well structured data, AI models cannot achieve the expected level of performance. This challenge is compounded by a shortage of specialized talent.

Forty three percent of companies report a lack of qualified AI experts within their teams. In a global environment already marked by a shortage of cybersecurity professionals, profiles combining security expertise and AI skills remain scarce.

Additional challenges further complicate implementation. Some organizations are concerned about the emergence of new threats related to the use of AI itself, while others point to the high costs associated with developing and maintaining AI based solutions. These constraints are slowing the transition from pilot projects to large scale deployments.

For Anton Ivanov, Chief Technology Officer at Kaspersky, the difficulty lies less in recognizing the value of AI and more in executing it effectively. Organizations clearly see the added value AI can deliver, but moving from experimentation to real impact within the SOC requires the right skills, resources, and structured support.

In this context, many vendors are now embedding artificial intelligence capabilities directly into their security solutions to simplify adoption. The key challenge for companies in the UAE is to build a coherent strategy that combines data governance, skills development, and appropriate technology choices.

While AI is increasingly viewed as an essential accelerator of cybersecurity, its effectiveness will depend on organizations’ ability to overcome operational barriers. The SOCs of tomorrow will likely be AI enhanced, but human expertise will remain central to decision making and defense strategy.

Caroline Haïat