Recent results from Kaspersky’s “Connecting the future of business” study showed that 55% of businesses in the Middle East, Turkey and Africa (META) are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, and 44 % of them use the Internet of Things (IoT). ) to stay ahead of today’s rapidly evolving technology landscape. This rise in interconnected technologies, however, is not without challenges, particularly in the area of cybersecurity.
Adoption and anticipation
In an in-depth survey of 560 senior IT security executives across the globe, including the META region, it was revealed that beyond current adoption, 34% of organizations plan to integrate IT AI in their operations. Likewise, interest in IoT and other interconnected technologies such as digital twins, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) is increasing, indicating a significant shift toward a more interconnected business environment. Kaspersky’s study highlights the excitement surrounding these technologies, with a significant number of companies keen to explore these areas further.
Cybersecurity: a growing concern
The rapid adoption of AI and IoT technologies highlights a critical issue: cybersecurity. The Kaspersky study highlights the vulnerabilities businesses face, with 18% of those surveyed by META recognizing the difficulty of protecting AI technologies. The situation is also precarious for converged IoT, AR/VR and cloud networks, with a considerable percentage of respondents perceiving these technologies as difficult to protect against cyberthreats. The findings highlight the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures to guard against the growing threat landscape.
Strategies for enhanced protection
Ivan Vassunov, Vice President of Enterprise Products at Kaspersky, commented on the need to adopt security by design principles and improve cybersecurity protocols. Kaspersky recommends several strategies for businesses to protect their interconnected technologies, including staff training and development, upgrading cybersecurity solutions, and complying with regulations to mitigate legal risks. These measures are crucial to enable businesses to not only protect their critical assets, but also build customer trust in an era where data breaches are increasingly prevalent.
As businesses continue to integrate AI and IoT into their operations, the importance of cybersecurity cannot be overstated. The Kaspersky study serves as both a reminder and guide for businesses in the META region and beyond to prioritize and strengthen their cybersecurity measures in the face of emerging threats. The future of business is undeniably interconnected and, as such, the approach to cybersecurity must evolve accordingly to protect and sustain the digital ecosystem.
