International Data Corporation (IDC) today hosted the Saudi Arabia edition of its IDC Security Roadshow 2022, with more than 180 of the country’s most influential security leaders in attendance at the Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel. The event addressed the theme ‘Elevating the Security of the Future Enterprise’.As cybersecurity gains strategic weight on the executive-level agenda, new challenges and opportunities are arising, but only 21% of Saudi organizations recently surveyed by IDC have an end-to-end security strategy in place that includes shared responsibilities, risk tolerance, classified events, and a recovery plan in case of an attack. Another 40% have a partially developed security strategy in place, while 12% have implemented a security strategy but not formally tested or reviewed it yet.Organizations are still lagging when it comes to implementing security solutions, but this is not the only challenge. The skills gap is huge in terms of security professionals, not only in Saudi Arabia, but also globally. Cybersecurity professionals were already scarce before the pandemic, but due to the increase in remote working and the evolving threat landscape after the pandemic’s onset, demand for security skills has heightened further. These skills are now in short supply, and their cost is constantly rising.”Evolving digital transformation strategies and shifting industry dynamics across Saudi Arabia are driving organizations to innovate and explore new technologies and delivery models,” said Hamza Naqshbandi, IDC’s associate vice president for Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, as he presented the event’s opening keynote. “In turn, this is creating a complex ecosystem beset by new cybersecurity challenges. As a result, cybersecurity is no longer limited to protecting technology assets but must also ensure business resiliency. Indeed, 54% of Saudi organizations surveyed by IDC said that their security departments are now involved in the planning and assessment stage for all new developments.”The Saudi Arabia edition of the IDC Security Roadshow 2022 explained why ensuring visibility and control across the entire technology footprint is now vital for organizational survival. With pressing challenges to the security of the future enterprise firmly in mind, industry experts explored a raft of transformative technologies, dissected the ever-growing threat landscape, and examined the increasingly sophisticated nature of cyberattacks. The event showcased insights from a range of respected industry thought leaders as they presented sessions on topics such as: Simplifying Your Zero Trust JourneySecuring Modern Applications: What You Need to Know NowConfronting the New Wave of CyberattacksThe Role of Threat Intelligence Within a Cyber Defense StrategyKeeping your Enterprise Business Safe with SecurityManaged Cyber Defense: When Professionals Fight ProfessionalsWeathering the Threat StormLooking Beyond the Obvious: A Comprehensive Approach to Investigating & Managing RisksThe agenda also incorporated fascinating end-user insights from Khalid Al Faheid, CISO of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture (MEWA), as he presented proven best practices for developing the cybersecurity capabilities required to thrive to secure the future enterprise. The event culminated with the official launch of an exclusive new IDC and Microsoft white paper titled ‘Cybersecurity KSA: A Digital Transformation Imperative’, with all attendees receiving a complementary copy of the report, which explores all the latest trends and developments shaping cybersecurity investments in the Kingdom.To learn more about the IDC Security Roadshow 2022, please contact Sheila Manek at smanek@idc.com or on +971 4 446 3154. You can also join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #IDCITSECURITY.The Saudi Arabia edition of the IDC Security Roadshow 2022 in Riyadh was supported by the following organizations: Platinum Partners: VMware, Checkmarx, Mimecast, Kaspersky, Oracle, Help AG, CrowdStrike, Microsoft; Gold Partners: SentinelOne, Odyssey, Secureworks / Redington, Veeam, Juniper Networks, Rubrik, Trellix, Attack IQ, Saudi Business Machines; Exhibit Partner: Forescout; Media Partners: Media Partners: International Business Magazine, Cyber Defense Magazine.