A recent research report has revealed that more than 55% of cloud security experts in the Middle East have expressed their intention to prioritize zero-trust strategies in the upcoming year. The study, sponsored by Huawei and endorsed by the UAE Cyber Security Council and OIC-CERT, surveyed 584 cloud security professionals in the region.
According to the report, zero trust strategies are regarded as essential due to their approach of not automatically trusting employees, users, devices, or services seeking access to company resources, even those within the network. Instead, verification is required every time access is requested, enhancing privacy and security.
The survey also highlighted other important areas of focus for cloud security professionals in the Middle East. Data and privacy best practices were cited as a priority by 43% of respondents, while regulatory compliance was identified as a key concern by 42%. This underscores the region’s commitment to ensuring data protection and adherence to relevant regulations.
Security played a pivotal role in decision-making processes related to cloud providers, with nearly 43% of respondents considering it the most critical factor. The report also emphasized the region’s adoption of a cloud-first strategy, as “non-cloud” environments are becoming increasingly uncommon.
In terms of safeguarding data on the cloud, the respondents emphasized the significance of multi-factor authentication, which was selected as a key objective by 45% of participants. Encryption and staff training were also identified as important measures, with both receiving 32% of the respondents’ support.
Furthermore, the report shed light on the diminishing relevance of passwords as a cybersecurity strategy, as only 16% of respondents expressed a strong commitment to pursuing a password-focused approach.
Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, the head of cybersecurity for the UAE government and co-chairman of the OIC-CERT cloud security working group, highlighted the importance of building a cybersecurity culture and fostering responsible online behaviour. He emphasized the need for collaboration at bilateral and multilateral levels to address cyber threats effectively.
Aloysius Cheang, Chief Security Officer at Huawei for the Middle East and Central Asia, emphasized the critical role of cloud technology in realizing the national visions of Middle East countries and acknowledged the persistent threat of cyberattacks. He called for collective efforts to demonstrate that a secure cyberspace is achievable through collaboration among stakeholders.
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