Gulf organisations trapped in ‘digital deadlock’

Gulf organisations trapped in ‘digital deadlock’

Data security is the biggest challenge in digital transformation for 81 per cent of Gulf Region companies, says GBM

The rush to achieve digital transformation with least concern for security are leaving organisations in the region vulnerable to data breach and cyber-attacks, a new study finds. Terming the situation as ‘dangerous’, the report warns only 15.4 per cent of the organisation in the Gulf are involving security teams in their digital transformation journey. “This is a concerning trend that may represent an obstacle to the success of digital transformation projects in the Gulf region,” said Abdulla Ishaq, General Manager of GBM Bahrain during the launch of the 8th edition of its annual cybersecurity study. “Ignoring security is not an option; do it at the cost of success,” the report says. “Few organisations realise the complexities involved or the need to include all stakeholders in the process; and unfortunately, many organisations undervalue the role of security in their journey.” The survey polled 750 security and IT managers and professionals from a range of industries in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait. This year’s survey explored how an organisation’s cybersecurity approach enables digital transformation projects to succeed.

“Organisations should learn to use big data towards insights that make it possible to predict and respond to cyber-attacks. It is also important for organisations to develop a blueprint for formulating a security strategy aligning to digital transformation, which ensures they take a holistic and integrated approach to the security technology implementation. Furthermore, organizations will be less vulnerable when they make their security team a stakeholder in their digital transformation journey”, said Hani Nofal, Vice President of Intelligent Network Solutions, Security and Mobility at GBM.

Biggest challenge

Even as 81pc of respondents identify securing data as their biggest challenge, the GBM study sees only a very small degree of involvement for security teams in creating digital transformation strategies. Seventy-nine per cent of respondents made their biggest security investment in preventive technologies over the past 12 months, while detection and response investments took a backseat. “This raises questions about whether Gulf organisations are truly ready for the security incidents and data breaches that many security experts consider inevitable,” said Ishaq. The report also comes at a time when 86pc of Gulf organisations are either planning or in the midst of a digital transformation journey.

Big data

On handling big data, the survey says, 87pc of Gulf organisations rated the first few steps “Data Classification” and “Data Security Policy” as their biggest obstacle. “This suggests a lack of data security maturity in the region since organisations must get the first steps right if they are to implement effective controls,” the survey suggests. GBM points out “this is set to change for the better,” with the introduction of new privacy rules and regulations in the Gulf region that have either already launched or are launching within the next 6 months.

National strategy

GBM highlighted Bahrain’s National Cybersecurity Strategy’s role in protecting the Kingdom’s assets in cyberspace. Bahrain’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has implemented several initiatives to address the gaps in cybersecurity readiness and has developed regulations that have played a vital role in improving Bahrain’s cybersecurity Index. 

Break the deadlock

To break the digital deadlock, which keeps organisations from successfully transforming, the survey suggests companies to align their security strategy with digital transformation journey, build collaborative teams, create a blueprint or architecture to implement security strategy and invest in governance to keep projects on track. The survey, however, states that Gulf organisations are not currently focused on governance with only 15pc of respondents naming governance among their top 3 initiatives.