Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026

Saudi Arabia’s cybersecurity resilience is built on a clear national principle: strength begins with people. When individuals, organizations and sectors are equipped with the right awareness and skills, they form a unified shield that reinforces the nation’s digital security and resilience. Rooted in this principle, the National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) has established a whole-of-nation model that elevates readiness at every level of society. The NCA sets strategic direction and is supported by the Saudi Information Technology Company (SITE), which translates these priorities into actionable, high-impact programmes. Through its cyber drills, SITE delivers high- fidelity simulations that enhance preparedness for evolving cybersecurity threats. During major events such as Hajj, these exercises stress-test containment, crisis management and cross-sector coordination, ensuring that readiness is both operational and proven. In parallel, nationwide awareness initiatives distil technical insights into accessible, culturally attuned guidance that strengthens daily vigilance. These campaigns extend from national programmes to individual engagement, aligning stakeholders across sectors to address risks such as phishing and AI-driven misinformation. Together, NCA and SITE are shaping a cybersecurity culture where awareness, preparedness and coordinated action are embedded across the entire nation.Respondents’ perceptions of their country’s ability to protect critical national infrastructure vary significantly across regions. While a high degree of confidence is expressed by respondents from the Middle East and North Africa (84% of respondents), far less confidence is expressed by respondents based in Latin America and the Caribbean (13%). Regional overview: Confidence in national cyber response to critical infrastructure attacks FIGURE 20 How confident are you in the preparedness of the country in which you are based to respond to major cyber incidents targeting critical infrastructure? 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 0% Confident Neutral Not confidentMiddle East and North Africa South AsiaEast Asia and Pacific Latin America and the CaribbeanEurope and Central Asia North America Sub-Saharan Africa 49% 38%39% 24%32% 30%19% 40%25% 35%26% 27%4% 11% 13%37%38%40%40%47%84% BOX 2 Strengthening cyber readiness through coordinated national action Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026 28