SANS STRENGTHENS GULF CYBERSECURITY SKILLS THROUGH IMMERSIVE TRAINING, AI-DRIVEN LEARNING

NED BALTAGI OF SANS INSTITUTE OUTLINES HOW ADVANCED TRAINING, NATIONAL WORKFORCE ALIGNMENT, AND AI-FOCUSED FRAMEWORKS ARE SHAPING A MORE RESILIENT CYBERSECURITY LANDSCAPE ACROSS SAUDI ARABIA AND THE WIDER REGION.

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Cybersecurity threats are increasing in both scale and sophistication, creating an urgent need for skilled professionals capable of protecting critical infrastructure and digital assets. In Saudi Arabia, national initiatives such as the Saudi Cybersecurity Workforce Framework (SCyWF) are accelerating the development of a resilient cyber workforce aligned with the Kingdom's digital transformation objectives.

Within this evolving landscape, SANS Institute continues to play a central role in advancing technical expertise, leadership capability, and AI security awareness across the region.

Ned Baltagi, Managing Director for the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey at SANS Institute, spoke to Sandhya D'Mello, Technology Editor, CPI Media Group, about how initiatives such as SANS Cyber Safari, the Secure AI Blueprint, and the Gulf Region 2025 programme are helping professionals strengthen defences, enhance organisational resilience, and align cybersecurity with both national and business priorities.

How will SANS Cyber Safari help businesses strengthen employee awareness and reduce human-related risks?

SANS Cyber Safari covers a broad spectrum of topics, from foundational security to advanced threat intelligence and forensics. The 20-day training event, held at the Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya, covers 13 specialised courses across key cybersecurity disciplines, along with three NetWars tournaments, and Four Community Night Talks, designed to engage and empower cybersecurity professionals. Through industry-leading hands-on labs, simulations, and exercises, focused on practical applications, professionals will gain the competitive advantage to stay ahead of evolving security challenges.