Huawei hosted a successful media briefing earlier this week at GISEC GLOBAL, the Middle East’s largest cybersecurity event. Under the theme “Establishing a Unified Cybersecurity Foundation to Safeguard the Expanding Digital and Intelligent Landscape,” the discussion addressed the critical cybersecurity challenges of our rapidly evolving digital era.

The session brought together media representatives from across the GCC, underscoring the regional importance of cybersecurity collaboration. The panel featured insights from Huawei’s top cybersecurity experts: Dr Zhu Shenggao, Vice President of AI at Huawei Cloud Middle East & Central Asia; Richard Wu, President of the Security Product Domain in the Data Communication Product Line; and Yongjian Li, President of Data Protection at Huawei. The session was moderated by Colm Murphy from the Huawei European Cybersecurity Center.

The briefing reinforced Huawei’s position as “Your Reliable Partner in the Digital and Intelligent World” through its comprehensive security governance system. Drawing on over 30 years of experience and defending against trillions of attacks, Huawei has developed advanced security models that update in real time and evolve rapidly. These capabilities are integrated into Huawei’s intelligent security system, structured around its ‘one center, seven defenses’ framework.

At the core of this transformation is Huawei’s principled approach to cybersecurity: security that is built-in and based on verification aligned with common standards; a commitment to being a secure, trustworthy provider; comprehensive governance systems; secure technologies developed through collaboration; active contributions to industry standards; and a strong respect for privacy and data sovereignty.

Yongjian Li, President of Data Protection at Huawei, also unveiled the OceanProtect E8000, a next-generation data protection system featuring a 3-in-1 converged architecture. This system integrates backup software servers, short-term retention storage, and long-term retention storage into a single solution.

Key benefits include:

• Five times faster recovery performance, restoring 1TB of data in just 20 seconds
• High-density 2PB/2U capacity, reducing rack space usage by up to 90 per cent compared to conventional solutions

Dr Zhu Shenggao, Vice President of AI at Huawei Cloud Middle East and Central Asia, emphasised Huawei Cloud’s transition from cloud-native to AI-native security systems. Huawei leverages three decades of security operations data and advanced computing power to power its Pangu security model, which automates 99 per cent of threat responses and significantly shortens threat detection and tracing times.

Read-Huawei’s MEA Ecosystem Summit redefines digital bridges, fosters innovation

Key AI-based security assurances include:

• Environment protection through real-time threat detection and rapid resolution
• Data protection via encryption, watermarking, and tracking to prevent leaks
• Model reliability ensured through rigorous training for accuracy and reduced errors
• Content safety upheld by ethical safeguards and attack prevention mechanisms

Unified security framework: Cloud to endpoint

Richard Wu, President of the Security Product Domain, highlighted Huawei’s integrated “Endpoint-Network-Security” platform, designed to combat ransomware and enhance data recovery. The solution unifies cloud, network, edge, and endpoint security under a single framework.

Huawei’s new Xinghe Intelligent Unified SASE Solution addresses growing cybersecurity threats resulting from cloud migration, branch breakouts, and hybrid working. With 85 per cent of enterprises moving services to the cloud and 80 per cent of traffic now directly routed from branches, attack surfaces are expanding rapidly.

Key elements of the SASE solution:

• AI Security Brain with over 8,000 built-in rules handles 99 per cent of alarms automatically
• Ultra-large-scale networking supporting up to 20,000 branches—50 per cent more than the industry average
• AI firewall at the edge detects 95 per cent of unknown threats.
• HiSec Endpoint boosts detection rates by 50 per cent over traditional antivirus solutions

Huawei’s SASE platform has earned Tolly certification, reinforcing its operational and detection superiority.

Advanced threat detection and unified defense architecture

Huawei’s intelligent security system uses a “one center, seven defenses” framework. Its SecMaster unified security operations center enhances detection accuracy to over 99 per cent, reduces investigation time by 83 per cent, and accelerates attack source tracing by 95 per cent.

AI-powered security models are used to:

• Improve classification and identification of sensitive data
• Detect abnormal access behaviors and potential leaks
• Recognise ransomware encryption attempts in databases

Local partnerships strengthen regional security

Huawei continues to deepen regional cooperation. In 2024, it signed a strategic partnership with Jeraisy, a leading network provider in Saudi Arabia, to jointly deliver advanced SASE solutions tailored to the Middle East market.

Richard Wu noted the region’s rapid growth and the presence of major MSPs and carriers such as Saudi Telecom Company, emphasising Huawei’s commitment to regional collaboration and digital development.

Compliance and cloud security governance

To align with national cybersecurity strategies, Huawei Cloud introduced its Cloud Service Cybersecurity and Compliance Standard (3CS). Based on more than 16 global security standards, 3CS ensures robust governance and facilitates regulatory compliance.

Huawei Cloud holds CSA STAR Certification, covering data protection, risk management, and infrastructure security, among other areas. This validates Huawei’s standing as a globally trusted cloud provider.

Tackling multi-cloud security and sovereignty

In response to growing adoption of hybrid and multi-cloud environments, SecMaster provides unified security operations across endpoints, edge, network, and cloud. It consolidates tools, integrates threat intelligence, and enables national-level threat hunting.

Huawei Cloud’s security governance framework addresses data sovereignty and regulatory challenges by consolidating over 20 global standards and 130 compliance certifications into a unified system, streamlining the path to compliance.

Ensuring data resilience amid evolving threats

To defend against ransomware and ensure business continuity, Huawei Storage integrates AI for enhanced threat detection. The use of all-flash media accelerates backup and recovery, while a 99.9 per cent reliable active-active architecture ensures system uptime and trust in the recovery process.

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, artificial intelligence tools have seamlessly woven themselves into the fabric of our lives.

These generative AI tools, with their ability to create content and enhance productivity, have become indispensable in our daily routines. As families venture into this new digital frontier, they encounter a labyrinth of potential threats that require careful navigation.

Unlike traditional search engines, AI tools capture and store every interaction; therefore, making it crucial to understand how your data could be used or exposed These tools can collect more information than one might expect, from IP addresses and location data to social media activity.

This treasure trove of data underscores the importance of being judicious about the information you share, as maintaining online anonymity plays a key role in safeguarding both you and your family.

Anonymity in the age of AI and GenAI

In an era where data is currency, taking steps to anonymise your profile is crucial. A good starting point is to create a new, dedicated email address for chatbot sign-ups, keeping it separate from your personal email associated with your financial accounts to maintain a layer of separation.

Enhance your privacy further by using a VPN to encrypt your connections, effectively shielding your device’s IP address and location from being collected. When choosing an AI platform, prioritise reputable services and disable “model learning” to limit data collection, ensuring your digital footprint remains as discreet as possible. These measures help keep your chats, images, and conversations private, allowing you to maintain greater control over your data.

When engaging with AI tools, exercise discretion by using general parameters rather than specifics, opting out of data collection whenever possible, and routinely clearing cookies and history to effectively minimise data retention. For instance, if you’re drafting a resume, refrain from inputting personal details. Instead, find ways to ask for assistance without revealing your identity to maintain a level of anonymity.

Additionally, make it a habit to log off after each session and regularly clear cookies and history. This simple practice can prevent the system from continuing to gather information about you and your activities, helping you maintain a more discreet digital footprint.

Cybersecurity Toolkit: Back to basics

While the digital world continues to evolve, it’s reassuring to know that the basics still offer strong protection for our digital lives.

Multi-factor authentication remains a cornerstone of digital security, adding a strong layer of protection that make unauthorised access to online banking, email, social media, shopping, and other accounts significantly more challenging.

Equally important is the use of strong, unique, and complex passwords across various platforms, which can be efficiently managed with the help of a reputable password manager. Running continuous antivirus software on all devices acts as a vigilant defense against malware and other threats, ensuring your devices remain protected.

Moreover, keeping your operating systems and software up-to-date is vital for closing potential security gaps, reinforcing your defenses against exploitation.

Public AI tools: A new avenue for cyber threats

Public AI tools have opened new avenues for hackers and cybercriminals to profile and target individuals and families. These malicious actors can leverage AI to craft sophisticated malware designed to infiltrate commonly used systems, generate convincing phishing emails in multiple languages devoid of telltale signs like bad grammar or misspellings.

Be especially cautious with any requests to alter payment information or share sensitive data, as these are often tactics used by cybercriminals. To counter these threats, it’s crucial to always verify the sources of emails, phone calls, texts, and even video calls through a separate, trusted channel.

Voices of deception: Navigating deepfakes

An emerging threat in this landscape is the rise of voice deepfakes. GenAI tools can easily capture and replicate voices from social media, webinars, and calls, crafting potential scams when paired with personal information.

As fraud attempts escalate, the need to validate the identity of individuals making requests — particularly those involving financial transactions — has never been more critical.

For families, establishing a “safe word” to confirm urgent requests offers a simple yet effective strategy to ensure authenticity and fortify trust in an age of digital deception.

Raising digital natives: AI safety for children

Integrating AI safety into everyday conversations with young children is as vital as imparting basic life lessons. As children, driven by their natural curiosity, increasingly interact with AI-powered tools and devices, it’s imperative for parents to establish clear guidelines early.

This proactive approach equips children to navigate the complexities of AI technology safely, fostering responsibility and awareness as they explore the digital landscape.

The writer is the EMEA head of wealth Advisory at JP Morgan Private Bank.

Amazon Saudi Arabia has launched a new in-app shopping experience called ‘Amazon Bazaar’.

The newly introduced section on the Amazon.sa mobile app allows shoppers to discover on-trend products, enjoy discounts, and unlock further savings as they build their baskets.

The Amazon Bazaar experience is designed to mimic the thrill of traditional bazaars, offering a dynamic interface and curated deals, with most items priced under SAR25 and some as low as SAR4.

Customers can access the bazaar via a new icon in the app menu or by searching ‘Bazaar’ on Amazon.sa.

“We know customers in Saudi Arabia love shopping for amazing deals and want to access the latest trends,” said Abdo Chlala, country manager, Amazon Saudi Arabia. “That’s why we’re excited to introduce Amazon Bazaar – a curated shopping destination that offers incredible value and makes the journey from discovery to checkout fun and easy.”

Amazon Bazaar is currently available in beta to select customers, with a full rollout planned in the coming weeks.

In addition to affordable pricing, the platform offers extra savings on larger orders, with 5 per cent off on orders over SAR150 and 10 per cent off over SAR300.

Amazon Bazaar key features include:

• A user-friendly, visually engaging interface
• Access to Amazon’s trusted services, including product reviews and star ratings
• Free delivery on orders over SAR 90
• Delivery in six–12 days, and 15-day free returns on most items

Chlala added: “We’re just getting started with this experience and look forward to expanding based on feedback from our Saudi customers.”

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior has announced fines of up to SAR20,000 ($5,300) for individuals entering or remaining in Makkah and surrounding holy sites without the required Hajj permits between Dhu Al-Qi’dah 1 and Dhu Al-Hijjah 14.

The penalties apply specifically to visit visa holders, while residents found violating Hajj regulations risk deportation and a 10-year ban from re-entering the kingdom, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

Hajj rules prioritised for safety

The ministry emphasised the importance of adhering to Hajj rules to ensure the safety of pilgrims and the smooth performance of rituals. It also urged citizens and residents to report any violations by dialling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or 999 in other regions of the country.

Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah, is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. Saudi authorities implement strict access controls each year to manage crowds and ensure public safety during the pilgrimage.

Upgrading infrastructure

In other news, SPA reported that the road network leading to the holy sites is undergoing significant upgrades using advanced technologies, including full depth reclamation (FDR).

The on-site asphalt and sub-layer recycling technique, implemented by the Roads General Authority (RGA), supports Vision 2030’s goal of accommodating 30 million pilgrims by providing a stable foundation for new asphalt layers.

FDR offers cost savings of 40–70 per cent compared to traditional roadwork approaches, allows for same-day road reopening to minimise traffic disruptions, reuses up to 100 per cent of existing materials, and reduces maintenance time by over 40 per cent.

RGA’s use of this technology is part of the kingdom’s broader road sector strategy to enhance safety and quality, with targets to rank among the top six globally for road quality and to significantly lower traffic fatalities by 2030.

As artificial intelligence diffuses across a broad spectrum of applications, from automation enabler to autonomous actor, to co-pilot equipping people with the capability to perform new tasks, enterprises must make trust a key part of their strategy. Balancing and maintaining trust will be essential to the success and unlocking the potential of AI.

As AI systems become more integrated into workplace processes, transparency about how these systems work and make decisions is critical. Employees must also understand how decisions are made to trust AI systems.

Ensuring AI systems are free from bias is essential, because if employees believe AI systems are biased or unfair, this can erode trust in the workplace.

The fear of job displacement because of AI can also affect trust – therefore, clear communication about how AI can be used to reshape human job responsibilities in evolving workplaces is vital to mitigating employee concerns. Trust in AI ultimately hinges on robust data privacy measures and clear policies on data usage.

Employees should be made aware of the benefits AI brings to them and to their organisation, how it will impact their roles, and what safeguards are in place to ensure fairness and accuracy. Investing in training to help boost their ability to collaborate with AI and use it to enhance their work is crucial.

Impact of AI across sectors

The Accenture Technology Vision 2025 report underscores AI’s transformative role in fostering organizational autonomy, pointing out that trust is emerging as the linchpin in unlocking its full potential. The report reveals that while 89 per cent of global executives believe AI will transform their industries, only 32 per cent have comprehensive governance frameworks in place.

In the UAE, this gap is particularly noteworthy, as the country has invested over $24bn in AI initiatives since launching its National AI Strategy 2031. This discrepancy between ambition and governance infrastructure presents both a challenge and an opportunity for UAE enterprises.

With trust emerging as the cornerstone of successful AI implementation, organizations across the UAE are navigating the delicate balance between rapid innovation and responsible deployment. Findings of the survey in the UAE point out that 65 per cent of executives believe AI’s full impact depends on establishing a foundation of trust.

At the same time, leaders in the UAE face challenges in balancing innovation with trust, with 76 per cent acknowledging AI’s urgency for reinvention while struggling to integrate AI agents effectively.

Also, only 20 per cent of UAE firms are proactively redesigning digital systems for the introduction of AI agents. This is well behind the global average of 77 per cent.

The UAE’s slower adoption of AI agents and reliance on legacy systems risk stifling growth and highlight the need for strategic trust frameworks and workforce readiness to harness AI’s autonomy-driven future.

According to its ambitious “We the UAE 2031” vision, the UAE is looking to achieve 100 percent reliance on AI for government services and data analysis by that year.

Today, 75 per cent of workers across businesses in the UAE are reportedly using generative AI. Without a doubt, how people interact with technology, as a copilot and by expanding voice assistant capabilities; and onward to robotics, to cars, and to health care will likely set the stage for the next phase of development.

The arrival of agentic AI and ultimately, generalised intelligence, will make this scenario more complex.

Enterprises need to understand that they are working with a thinking intelligence here – building what will become the organization’s digital cognitive brain, a unified AI system that learns, adapts, and orchestrates across an organisation – offering UAE enterprises a compelling path forward.

Unlike fragmented AI implementations, this holistic approach mirrors the UAE’s own centralised AI governance structure under the National Program for Artificial Intelligence.

For UAE organisations to fully realise the potential of AI-driven reinvention, the trust factor must be addressed systematically.

The above mentioned report indicates that companies prioritising transparent AI governance see 32 per cent higher returns on their AI investments globally.

Governance framework for AI

The UAE’s Corporate Governance Framework for AI, developed by the AI Office in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, provides enterprises with a roadmap to build trust-enhancing mechanisms.

Encouraging UAE organisations to implement explainable AI systems that provide transparency in decision-making, the framework recommends human-in-the-loop processes to maintain accountability, constantly monitoring for bias and ethical considerations, and robust data governance protocols.

Early adopters like Etisalat by e& have demonstrated this approach through their AI-powered customer service platform, which explains the reasoning behind recommendations and maintains human oversight for sensitive decisions, leading to a documented 24 per cent increase in customer satisfaction scores.

Organisations must recognise that trust and innovation are not competing priorities but complementary forces. For instance, the digital cognitive brain concept offers a framework for implementing AI that learns continuously while maintaining transparent governance.

The UAE’s AI Ethics Advisory Board, established in 2023, provides a national-level compass for navigating uncharted waters. Its recent guidelines on AI applications in healthcare and financial services offer sector-specific trust frameworks that UAE enterprises can adopt.

For these enterprises, the imperative is clear: build trust-enhancing mechanisms into AI systems from the beginning rather than retrofitting them later to mitigate risks and create a competitive advantage through increased stakeholder confidence.

As we look toward 2031 and beyond, the UAE’s approach to embedding trust within its digital cognitive infrastructure may well become the template that other nations follow.

The writer is the CEO at Accenture’s Middle East.