Insights

Expert deep dives into the world of security from industry leaders. WA has removed older content and will be providing regular Insights over the next few months. Visit again soon for new content.

Thumbnail image for Industrial Cybersecurity Consulting and Managed Services Navigator 2025: Building Operational Resilience
Cybersecurity

Industrial Cybersecurity Consulting and Managed Services Navigator 2025: Building Operational Resilience

Operational Technology (OT) environments are foundational to critical infrastructure and industrial operations. These systems control physical processes essential to energy, transport, manufacturing, and public services. As connectivity increases, so does exposure to cyber, physical, and operational risks. Yet, despite the criticality of these processes, cyber maturity remains relatively low. Asset owners need credible and trusted security consulting and managed services partners to accelerate improvements to cyber resilience.

Thumbnail image for Cybersecurity’s shift from a defensive cost centre to a strategic enabler of growth in the Middle East
Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity’s shift from a defensive cost centre to a strategic enabler of growth in the Middle East

The Middle East has invested heavily in digitalisation to diversify the economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues. However, this rapid digitalisation has resulted in an increase in cyber risk from both cyber criminals and state-sponsored actors. IBM’s X-Force 2025 Threat Intelligence Index reports that the Middle East and Africa accounted for 10% of global cybersecurity incidents in 2024, up from 4% (2022) and 7% (2023). Saudi Arabia (63%) and UAE (16%) accounted for most of the incidents.

The growing cyber threat and increasing interdependencies between digital infrastructure has led to strong local regulations to protect critical national infrastructure and enforce data sovereignty. Consequently, investment in the protection of Operational Technology (OT), the hardware and software that controls physical infrastructure, has grown considerably and Westlands Advisory’s latest analysis expects continued growth at a CAGR of 24% (2024-2031). Whilst a sizeable portion of this investment is from energy related industries (e.g. oil and gas production, refining, power generation, and energy transmission and distribution), investment in focus sectors will also strengthen (e.g. tourism and smart cities).

A further consequence of regulation and the requirement for data localisation is the growing footprint of data centres throughout the Middle East to provide the compute for ambitious AI related projects such as Saudi Arabia’s Transcendence AI Initiative and Dubai’s RTA AI Strategy 2030’s 81 projects and initiatives.

Thumbnail image for Operational Technology: Industrial Digital Transformation Continues to Outpace Investment in Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity

Operational Technology: Industrial Digital Transformation Continues to Outpace Investment in Cybersecurity

Investment in OT Cybersecurity has grown significantly over the last decade, resulting in leading asset owners significantly improving their cybersecurity posture. Nevertheless, more is required to balance the benefits of digitalisation with the cyber risk. Westlands Advisory’s research into trends impacting cybersecurity posture concludes that growing digitalisation and security incidents are not currently being matched by investment in cybersecurity. Furthermore, the research highlights that regulation to 2023 has had a low impact on improving the OT cybersecurity posture across most process and manufacturing industries.

Thumbnail image for Incident Response: Training and exercising at Thales Ebbw Vale prepares SOC analysts and IR teams for cyber events
Cybersecurity

Incident Response: Training and exercising at Thales Ebbw Vale prepares SOC analysts and IR teams for cyber events

In a hyperconnected world, organisations need to ensure resilience to systemic shocks. Effective incident response plans are critical for responding to and mitigating the impact of cybersecurity incidents. This requires training and exercising that replicate real-world scenarios, thereby increasing the preparedness of SOC analysts and incident response teams. WA visited Thales Ebbw Vale to gain an insight into how critical infrastructure owners use the cyber range to improve security programs.

Thumbnail image for Cyber Threats in 2024: Key Insights for Risk Leaders and Boardrooms
Cybersecurity

Cyber Threats in 2024: Key Insights for Risk Leaders and Boardrooms

As cyber threats evolve and intensify, organisations are increasingly exposed to new risks. Staying on top of the intelligence reporting is a challenge. This report is intended for executives that do not have the time, nor the need, to read over 20 cyber threat intelligence reports. WA has done that for you and summarised the key actions.

Thumbnail image for Strong and Sustainable Foundations: Develop a security program for smart buildings based on asset visibility
Cybersecurity

Strong and Sustainable Foundations: Develop a security program for smart buildings based on asset visibility

Regulation related to sustainability and a focus on reducing energy costs is driving increased investment in the digital transformation of buildings and a focus on cybersecurity. Although demand for buildings OT cybersecurity is increasing, it is starting from a low base, highlighting the industry's current underdeveloped cybersecurity maturity and the growing recognition of the need to address vulnerabilities. The journey to improved resilience is not straightforward but building owners can take modular steps and this starts with identifying assets and understanding risk.

Thumbnail image for 5G and IoT: A global perspective on connectivity and security
Cybersecurity

5G and IoT: A global perspective on connectivity and security

Stand Alone (SA) 5G networks accelerate IoT investment due to improved performance and availability. With most of the world still reliant on Non Stand Alone (NSA) 5G networks, WA anticipates increased expenditure on IoT infrastructure and applications as SA networks grow, and a corresponding rise in cybersecurity.

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