ArabWeeks

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.

ewly released data from IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker shows that shipments of mobile phones to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region declined 0.8% quarter on quarter (QoQ) in Q1 2022 to total 6.10 million units. Smartphone shipments were up 0.4% QoQ to 5.47 million units, while feature phone shipments decline 9.8% over the same period to 0.63 million units. In terms of value, the GCC smartphone market was worth $2.09 billion in Q4 2021, a decrease of 4.5% QoQ, while the feature phone market totaled $11.16 million, down 25.9%.Samsung and Xiaomi channels reported improved supply across the GCC for the quarter. Samsung saw its most significant growth in the low ($100<$200) and premium ($800+) ends of the market, while Xiaomi saw growth in the midrange to high-end category ($200<$600). Apple faced shortages stemming from delayed shipments, which impeded the vendor’s overall unit and value growth during the quarter.Smartphone shipments to Saudi Arabia declined 4.9% QoQ in Q1 2022, although the Kingdom still accounted for 53.3% of all smartphone shipments to the GCC. The UAE, the region’s second-largest market, saw shipments increase 11.2% QoQ for 24.9% share.”Q1 2022 saw a drop in shipments to Saudi Arabia with partners reporting excess inventory in the channel and lagging demand,” says Akash Balachandran, a senior analyst at IDC. “However, the ‘Other GCC’ countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar) saw a mild pickup after having experienced constrained supply in previous quarters. The UAE’s smartphone growth stemmed mainly from an improved supply of low-end and premium Samsung devices, as well as from Xiaomi’s concerted focus on promoting its midrange devices.”Samsung led the GCC smartphone market in terms of shipments in Q1 2022 with 47.5% share. The vendor posted 6.9% QoQ growth in shipments as supply improved, especially for its S-series devices. Second-placed Apple, with 15.4% share, saw shipments decline 18.2% QoQ, with channel partners reporting supply constraints and delays in shipments. Rounding out the top three, Xiaomi accounted for 14.9% of the GCC smartphone market in Q1 2022, with its expanding portfolio of midrange to high-end devices driving a 9.3% QoQ increase in shipments to the region.

Figure 1: GCC Smartphone Market by Brand Share (Units), Q1 2021–Q2 2022

The GCC smartphone market is forecast to decline 4.8% QoQ in Q2 2022 due to rising inflation, declining consumer demand, and growing inventory in the channel. Travel and tourism will continue to increase but will not be sufficient to improve the quarter.”5G shipments to the GCC in Q1 2022 were down 3.4% QoQ and accounted for 35.9% of overall smartphone shipments,” says Ramazan Yavuz, a senior research manager at IDC. “This was due to higher shipments of entry-level 4G Android devices in conjunction with shortages of iOS 5G devices. While ups and downs are expected in the short term, 5G penetration is forecast to continue at its previous rapid pace over the medium and long term and will make up 80.6% of total GCC smartphone shipments in 2026.”