An Analytical Study of the Rising Cyber Attacks in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This final-year project examines whether Saudi Arabia's cybersecurity infrastructure is sufficiently robust to withstand future cyber threats. this study examines previous cyber incidents in Saudi Arabia and assesses the effectiveness of national responses to evaluate the country's preparedness for future cyber threats. A questionnaire was distributed to 50 cybersecurity professionals in Saudi Arabia to assess their preparedness for emerging threats. The results indicate that ransomware is the most anticipated threat, with small to medium-sized businesses expected to be the primary victims. One key finding is the overconfidence of employees, which hinders adequate preparation for future threats. The study concludes that although Saudi Arabia is making considerable progress, it is still in a developmental phase and not yet fully prepared for emerging cyber threats. Based on the findings, the following recommendations are made: • Compulsory training should be provided for cybersecurity professionals and non-specialised employees to improve overall awareness and response capabilities. • A centralised cyber threat intelligence sharing platform should be established to enable real-time data sharing across organisations, enhancing collective defence efforts. • Increased Research and Development investments are necessary to develop advanced technologies to keep up with emerging cyber threats. • Government-supported cybersecurity assistance for SMEs involves assigning a cybersecurity professional to new SMEs for two years, ensuring they have the expertise needed to defend against cyber risks and build resilient security practices. These strategies are crucial for enhancing Saudi Arabia’s cybersecurity preparation against future challenges.