Saudi Arabia’s accelerating digital transformation under Vision 2030 was a central focus at Black Hat MEA in Riyadh, where global cyber security leaders discussed the scale and pace of technology adoption across the Kingdom. Mega projects linked to Vision 2030 are widely viewed as among the most advanced digital developments worldwide, creating significant opportunities for international cyber security companies while also setting high expectations for local engagement, trust and long term commitment.
For global providers, entering and growing in the Saudi market requires more than advanced tools or platforms. Building credibility depends on understanding national priorities, supporting workforce development and maintaining a sustained local presence. Speaking at the event, Pete Harteveld, CEO of Exabeam, said the company’s success in Saudi Arabia is closely tied to its approach to community engagement. He explained that Exabeam focuses on working with partners and young professionals alike, placing equal emphasis on educating the market about cyber security fundamentals alongside its own solutions. According to Harteveld, the rapid adoption of new technologies in the Kingdom has shortened traditional learning cycles, increasing the responsibility of vendors to actively support skills development. He stressed that strengthening the capabilities of cyber security professionals in Saudi Arabia is essential as organisations modernise at an unprecedented speed.
Exabeam’s regional strategy centres on flexibility and augmentation rather than replacement, allowing organisations to enhance their existing on premises security environments. Harteveld noted that many enterprises cannot afford the disruption or cost of replacing core security infrastructure, particularly SIEM platforms. By integrating AI driven threat detection into existing systems, organisations can improve visibility and response without starting from scratch. This approach also benefits local partners, enabling them to keep pace with customer demands while protecting prior investments. The strategy has delivered measurable results, with Exabeam recording 21 percent growth in Saudi Arabia between 2024 and 2025 and forecasting similarly strong double digit growth in 2026. Harteveld highlighted that more than 90 percent of Exabeam’s global business is driven through partners, a model that remains consistent in the Kingdom through local sales, support, engineering and product engagement.
The company’s long term commitment to Saudi Arabia was further underlined by the launch of its Customer Innovation Center in Riyadh. The facility is designed as a regional hub where customers, partners, prospects and university students can experience AI driven cyber security solutions across IT, operational technology and IoT environments. Harteveld described the centre as a space focused on education, collaboration and innovation, tailored specifically to local requirements. Beyond Saudi Arabia, he pointed to broader shifts across the Middle East, particularly within SOC teams. As hybrid environments become more established, confidence in cloud based security models is improving, enabling SOC teams to adopt AI more actively. This transition is expected to enhance efficiency and productivity across security operations, supporting the region’s expanding digital footprint. As Vision 2030 continues to shape Saudi Arabia’s cyber security ecosystem, the Kingdom is increasingly viewed as a reference point for markets seeking to balance rapid innovation with sustainable skills development and local partnership.
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