Khaleej Times: GCC firms shift focus to cyber resilience, sovereignty as AI reshapes threat landscape

Organisations across the Gulf are increasingly prioritising operational resilience and digital sovereignty as cybersecurity strategies adapt to faster, more complex threats, according to a new industry report. The latest annual State of the Market Report 2026 by Help AG highlights a shift away from traditional, reactive security models towards continuous, adaptive systems aligned with broader national and infrastructure goals.

Help AG's Security Operations Centre (SOC) has successfully achieved certification from the Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC). This significant milestone independently validates the strength of our security operations, demonstrating the capabilities, operational maturity, and service excellence that underpin our cybersecurity offerings. The certification covers both our Managed Security Services (MSS) and Managed Security Controls Services (MSC) capabilities, enabling Help AG to deliver certified security services to Dubai Government entities. Beyond the certification itself, this achievement reflects the expertise, dedication, and collaboration of teams across the organization. It is a testament to the high standards we uphold, our commitment to operational excellence, and the trust our customers place in us every day.

In his commentary with MIT Sloan Management Review Middle East, Talal Wazani discusses how the next phase of digital transformation in the Middle East is being shaped by invisible AI-driven systems operating behind the scenes. From cybersecurity and compliance to public services and financial governance, these systems increasingly automate critical decisions without direct user interaction. Talal highlights the growing importance of governance, transparency, explainability, and continuous oversight to ensure autonomous technologies remain secure, accountable, and aligned with organizational and national priorities.

Dr. Aleksandar Valjarevic, Acting Chief Executive Officer at Help AG, has been featured in Edge Middle East’s Security Leaders to Watch 2026 list in the April issue. This recognition highlights his leadership in advancing cybersecurity strategy, driving innovation, and strengthening digital resilience across the region. Under his guidance, Help AG continues to play a key role in enabling organizations to navigate evolving cyber threats and build secure digital ecosystems.

Help AG has expanded its partnership with Securonix to enhance its AI-driven Cloud SOC services in the UAE. The collaboration strengthens threat detection and automation, reinforcing Help AG’s market leadership recognized by IDC and Gartner.

Help AG and SandboxAQ are collaborating to prepare Saudi Arabia for the post-quantum era by strengthening cryptographic resilience. The partnership supports secure digital transformation and long-term cybersecurity readiness.