OPSWAT, a global leader in critical infrastructure protection (CIP) solutions with headquarters in Florida, United States, has announced an expansion of its operations within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
This step is part of the company’s wider strategic initiatives to grow business in the METAP (Middle East, Turkey, Africa, and Pakistan) region. It recognises Saudi Arabia’s importance in the global cybersecurity landscape.
Ranked second on the ITU’s Global Cybersecurity Index, Saudi Arabia is acknowledged as a global leader in cybersecurity with its commitment to innovation and security.
Underpinning this rapid sectoral transformation is the leadership of the Kingdom, with His Royal Highness Mohammed Bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia stating, “We live in a time of scientific innovations and unprecedented technologies, and these technologies can bring huge benefits, and at the same time they may result in new challenges, such as changing work patterns as well as increasing the risks of cybersecurity and information flow. This requires us to address these challenges as soon as possible to avoid them turning into economic and social crises”, at the launch of the Kingdom’s National Cybersecurity Strategy, under Vision 2030, which aims to bring about a digital economy of the future.
The Saudi cybersecurity market is surging forward, expected to reach SAR 21 billion ($5.6 billion) by the end of 2023, growing at an annual rate of 13.95%. The Kingdom’s cybersecurity space aligns perfectly with OPSWAT’s specialised CIP technologies, which are tailor-made solutions that integrate Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT) security seamlessly.
In addition to its well-established global presence with 13 offices worldwide, OPSWAT’s success is evident within the Kingdom through its distinguished & diverse client portfolio. The company’s remarkable growth trajectory in the METAP region, featuring a notable 96% sales growth in 2023 compared to the preceding year, alongside a substantial 139% sales growth in the third quarter of 2023 compared to the corresponding period in 2022, reflects its robust performance and strategic focus. The inauguration of the region’s first CIP lab by OPSWAT shows their dedication to fuelling the entire region’s development in critical infrastructure security.
The company is also participating in the renowned Black Hat MEA conference, in Riyadh, in collaboration with HelpAG, where it will present its advanced Critical Infrastructure Protection solutions. Furthermore, as a sponsor of CS4CA MENA, also in Riyadh, OPSWAT’s Sertan Selcuk, VP of Sales – METAP, will share his insights on fostering secure cyber infrastructure in alignment with Vision 2030’s goals.
Sertan will present the transformative power of integrating IT, OT, and AI, thereby driving innovation within Saudi Arabia’s digital ecosystem. OPSWAT’s active involvement in global cybersecurity conferences epitomises its commitment to driving innovation and ensuring constant upgrades of its solution offerings in a period of emerging digital challenges.
Sertan Selcuk articulates the company’s vision, stating, “Our enthusiasm is fuelled by the incredible growth we are seeing in the Kingdom, backed by its futuristic vision. As defenders of progress and champions of innovation, we are committed to elevating our Saudi customers and partners to new heights. Our motivation lies in strengthening the digital backbone of commerce and communication, which is pivotal to the Kingdom. We are grateful to our clients and partners who are always our priority and are dedicated to delivering security solutions as dynamic and visionary as the market we are serving”.
OPSWAT’s expansion affirms its resolve to be at the forefront of the digital transformation in Saudi Arabia, contributing to the Kingdom’s overall strategic objectives and bolstering its position as a global cybersecurity hub.
