Not so long ago, cybersecurity in Saudi Arabia was a footnote, a technical function buried deep within IT departments, often misunderstood, and rarely mentioned beyond system audits. Those of us working in the field understood its potential, but we also understood the challenge: how do you secure a future that hasn’t been built yet?
On this 95th Saudi National Day, as we reflect on the theme Pride in Our Nature, I think of that journey. I think of how far we have come, not just in systems or regulation, but in mindset. What was once seen as a reactive discipline is now a strategic pillar of national strength. Cybersecurity today is not invisible because it’s absent, it’s invisible because it’s embedded.
Transformation has always been part of Saudi Arabia’s story, but the current phase demands more than ambition. It demands execution at scale. And execution depends on trust. Not the kind of trust that has spoken, but the kind that is earned, through secure platforms, resilient systems, and confidence that progress will not be undone.
The Kingdom’s digital economy has grown from bold idea to living infrastructure: smart cities, fintech, AI labs, e-government, digital education. But with each new connection comes greater exposure. We are no longer protecting networks; we are protecting value. Reputation. Continuity. Sovereignty.
This is not about technology. It is about people. The engineers build national security systems. The civil servants enforce data security and governance. University students learn to defend next generation technologies. Every layer of cybersecurity in Saudi Arabia today reflects investment not just in infrastructure, but in capability.
The Kingdom’s rise in global digital trust rankings, the growing maturity of cyber frameworks across sectors, and the emergence of Saudi talent in cyber leadership roles all tell the same story: we are no longer just building capabilities, we are helping lead the conversation around what secure digital leadership looks like.
What gives me pride, looking back on more than two decades in the Saudi market, is not just what we have protected, it is how cybersecurity has become embedded in the foundation of national progress. It is no longer seen as a brake on innovation, but as an enabler of resilience, a multiplier of credibility, and a core pillar of Saudi Arabia’s global competitiveness.
Whether we are securing AI governance, safeguarding data sovereignty, or enabling compliance across digital financial infrastructure, the role of cyber is clear: if it cannot be trusted, it cannot scale.
As the next phase of Vision 2030 unfolds, the question will not be how fast we innovate, but how confidently we sustain that innovation. What systems are in place when complexity rises? What assurances can we give our partners, investors, and citizens? And how are we preparing the next generation of cyber professionals to lead not just with skill, but with integrity?
This National Day, I am proud to stand alongside the people shaping Saudi Arabia’s digital future, not just engineers and experts, but policymakers, educators, and endless Saudi talent. Together, we are not just securing data. We are securing a vision. And that is something to be proud of, not because it is loud, but because it lasts.
