The advancement of digital technology has been proven to improve organizational performance and enhance business value by enabling companies to meet their customer’s expectations. Public and private sectors have made substantial progress in building a digital infrastructure that facilitates innovation and creates new economic opportunities in line with national visions and ICT objectives. In addition to the private sector, the public sector has also implemented strategies and prioritized incorporating digital transformation into its plans.
New projects shaping the future.
The Dubai government is making rapid progress towards achieving the goals of its paperless policy. The strategy has accomplished 98.86% of its goals, with 43 government agencies becoming 100% paperless. Meanwhile, the Dubai Police has outlined new initiatives to make the emirate the safest city globally, including implementing a GPS vehicle camera tracking system and a floating smart police station on the World Islands. In addition to introducing new technologies, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority is implementing an AI-powered platform to ensure safer cycling tracks.
The digital revolution.
The private sector has also taken significant steps towards developing a robust digital infrastructure that encourages innovation and provides new economic opportunities. In 2022, it’s predicted that IT spending in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region will reach $1.7 billion, an increase of 2.6% from 2021.
Combatting the cyber pandemic.
Despite the many advantages of new technologies, they also broaden the area of attack for hackers, making it imperative to maintain a robust cybersecurity posture. There have already been examples of the devastation that cyberattacks can cause. In the SolarWinds attack, hackers exploited a supply chain attack to rip through organizations’ networks. UAE’s National Cybersecurity Strategy, launched in 2019, aims to establish a safe cyberinfrastructure. In alignment with the country’s robust cybersecurity infrastructure, several experts are helping organizations secure their data and increase their security posture.
The pandemic introduced a new business model – working remotely, organizations were unprepared for this abrupt transition. Hackers attempted to take advantage of this opportunity, which is why cyberattacks are on the rise. Businesses are now aware that they must strengthen their security measures.
A sound security foundation is essential for organizations to avoid security risks. Detecting and identifying threats, having complete network visibility, and enabling continuous monitoring of networked assets are all beneficial. The earlier the threat is identified, the greater the opportunity to mitigate it. For example, using strong passwords in conjunction with robust authentication mechanisms and verification questions is the first layer of protection. The region is poised to achieve global leadership in innovation, driven by its strong market potential and robust ecosystem.
We at GL International believe solutions should be provided based on the client’s needs rather than what the vendor has to offer.