A new report reveals that a significant 70% of companies across the UAE are planning to integrate artificial intelligence into their Security Operations Centres (SOCs) to combat a new wave of AI-powered cyber threats. The findings, published by global cybersecurity firm Kaspersky, underscore a pivotal shift in the region’s approach to digital defense.
Organisations increasingly see AI not just as a tool for efficiency but as a critical component for strengthening threat detection capabilities, especially as cyberattacks grow in sophistication and leverage AI for offensive purposes.
A Proactive Defense Against Sophisticated Attacks
This strategic shift comes on the heels of a recent announcement from the UAE Cybersecurity Council, which confirmed that national authorities had successfully thwarted organised, AI-enabled cyberattacks targeting the country’s digital infrastructure and vital sectors.
Officials highlighted that attackers are now exploiting AI to develop advanced malicious tools, marking a significant evolution in digital warfare tactics and prompting businesses to adopt equally advanced defensive measures.
AI’s Role in the Security Operations Centre
According to the report, UAE companies are looking to deploy AI for specific, high-impact applications. 58% of firms expect AI to bolster threat detection through automated data analysis that can rapidly identify anomalies and suspicious activities that might evade human analysts.
Furthermore, 46% plan to use AI for response automation, enabling the rapid execution of predefined incident response protocols to contain threats faster. The overarching goal is to automate routine security tasks, improve detection accuracy, and reduce false positives, thereby enhancing overall security posture.
Navigating the Hurdles of AI Integration
Despite the strong commitment to leveraging AI, companies face significant challenges, including a shortage of skilled AI and cybersecurity professionals and the high costs associated with integration.
Anton Ivanov, Chief Technology Officer at Kaspersky, noted the existing gap between ambition and execution. “While organisations recognise the value AI brings to SOCs, moving from experimentation to full operational impact remains challenging due to talent shortages and complexity of in-house AI deployment,” Ivanov stated.
As AI-driven threats continue to rise, the accelerated investment in AI-powered cybersecurity capabilities is becoming a necessity for UAE companies aiming to safeguard their digital infrastructure and maintain resilience.
About Kaspersky
Kaspersky is a global cybersecurity and digital privacy company founded in 1997. Its deep threat intelligence and security expertise is constantly transforming into innovative security solutions and services to protect businesses, critical infrastructure, governments, and consumers around the globe.
Source: MEA Tech Watch
