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In an era where the world’s economies, governments, and societies are deeply interconnected and increasingly dependent on digital infrastructure, cybersecurity is one of the most important pillars of national security and economic competitiveness. The digital realm is no longer a secondary layer of governance or a peripheral domain of economics; it is now the backbone of modern life. From hospitals and schools to energy grids and banking systems, every element of daily life depends on secure networks and resilient digital ecosystems. Without strong cybersecurity, a country places its sovereignty, its economy, and even the safety of its citizens at serious risk. For this reason, investing in cybersecurity is not only about protecting data, but also about ensuring national stability, enabling sustainable development, and securing a country’s position on the global stage.
The importance of cybersecurity investment has grown as cyberthreats become increasingly sophisticated and dangerous. Ransomware attacks can bring government agencies and private corporations to a halt, while state-sponsored cyberattacks can paralyze entire sectors, from transportation to utilities. Critical infrastructure, such as energy plants and water systems, are prime targets for malicious actors who know that attacking these systems can cause mass disruption and panic.
Moreover, the economic costs of ignoring cybersecurity are staggering. A single major cyberattack can result in billions in losses, as well as severe reputational harm that can take years to repair. Citizens also lose faith in government institutions when their data or services are compromised, creating long-term political instability. This is why forward-looking governments view cybersecurity not as an afterthought but as a strategic national investment akin to military defense or healthcare infrastructure.
On the other hand, the consequences for nations that fail to take cybersecurity seriously are dire. When governments ignore the need for robust cyber defenses, they create a dangerous environment in which their national security and economic growth are perpetually under threat. We have already witnessed instances around the world where countries became vulnerable because of inadequate investment. Hackers have shut down pipelines, interfered with elections, stolen financial information, and disrupted healthcare systems. In such cases, governments are left scrambling to respond, often after the damage has been done.
Economically, the consequences are equally devastating. Businesses cannot thrive in an environment where their data is constantly under threat. International investors will hesitate to invest in countries where cyber vulnerabilities could wipe out their assets overnight. The damage is not just immediate but long-term: Nations that fail to secure their digital environments risk falling behind in innovation, losing competitiveness, and becoming dependent on others for basic technological needs.
Businesses cannot thrive if their data is under threat.
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh
This global reality is why ֱ’s approach to cybersecurity stands out so prominently in 2025. Under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Kingdom has built one of the most advanced, comprehensive, and forward-looking cybersecurity frameworks in the world. It has not only recognized the importance of cybersecurity but has acted decisively, creating institutions, strategies, and educational pipelines that are now viewed as models for other nations to follow. ֱ’s achievements in this area are not only impressive by regional standards, but also have earned it top rankings on global cybersecurity indices, making it a leader in a domain that defines modern governance and competitiveness.
The Saudi experience is particularly instructive for nations that are still struggling to establish effective cybersecurity frameworks.
What makes the Kingdom’s example so significant is the deliberate and visionary leadership behind it. When the crown prince laid out the Vision 2030 strategy, technology and cybersecurity were given central roles. Unlike some countries that treat cyberthreats reactively, ֱ built its cybersecurity framework proactively, embedding it in the heart of its national development plan.
The creation of the National Cybersecurity Authority in 2017 was one of the boldest steps in this regard. The NCA became the central institution responsible for setting policies, implementing standards, and coordinating efforts across government and private sectors. This centralized authority provided clarity and coherence, ensuring that the country’s cybersecurity efforts were unified, structured, and effective.
Complementing the NCA was the establishment of the Saudi Information Technology Company, which acted as the operational and technical arm of the Kingdom’s cybersecurity strategy. SITE’s focus on localization and technology development allowed ֱ to reduce its reliance on foreign systems and build homegrown expertise. This is crucial because true cybersecurity is not only about defending against attacks but also about technological sovereignty.
By investing in its own capabilities, the Kingdom has ensured that it can control its own future, reducing vulnerabilities that often arise from overdependence on foreign technologies. This combination of centralized governance through the NCA and decentralized operational execution through SITE created what is now referred to as the “Saudi model” of cybersecurity, a system that balances strong oversight with flexibility and innovation.
The results of this investment and leadership are clear in global benchmarks. In 2024, the UN International Telecommunication Union’s Global Cybersecurity Index ranked ֱ as a Tier 1 “role-modeling nation.” The Kingdom achieved a perfect 100 out of 100 score across all five key pillars of cybersecurity: legal, organizational, cooperation, capacity building, and technical measures. This recognition placed ֱ in the highest category globally, showcasing its achievements not only in technical defenses but also in governance, education, and collaboration.
In 2025, ֱ further cemented its global leadership when it was ranked as the world’s top nation in cybersecurity by the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook. These rankings are not symbolic; they are a reflection of years of strategic planning, investment, and execution. They show that the Kingdom has gone beyond rhetoric and achieved measurable, verifiable success on the international stage.
Education has been another pillar of ֱ’s cybersecurity achievements. Recognizing that human capital is as important as technological infrastructure, the Kingdom established the Prince Mohammed bin Salman College for Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, and Advanced Technologies in Riyadh in 2018. The institution has forged partnerships with some of the world’s leading universities, including Stanford and Carnegie Mellon, to train the next generation of experts. This has created a pipeline of Saudi professionals capable of advancing the nation’s technological and cybersecurity goals. Furthermore, events like the annual Black Hat Middle East and Africa conference in Riyadh have turned ֱ into a regional and global hub for cybersecurity discussions, innovation, and collaboration. By bringing together experts, companies, and governments, the Kingdom has created an ecosystem in which knowledge flows and capabilities grow continuously.
What the world can learn from ֱ is clear. First, leadership at the highest level must prioritize cybersecurity as a strategic goal. Without political will and national vision, fragmented efforts cannot achieve the necessary scale. Second, cybersecurity must be institutionalized through coherent governance frameworks that balance central oversight with decentralized execution. Third, investment in education and talent development is critical; no country can secure itself without a skilled workforce capable of responding to evolving threats. Fourth, nations must pursue technological sovereignty, developing local capacities that reduce dependence on external actors. Finally, international benchmarking, transparency, and collaboration must be embraced, as they provide accountability and help align efforts with global best practices.
In sum, ֱ’s achievements in cybersecurity are not only a source of national pride, but also a global lesson. They show what can be achieved when vision, leadership, investment, and execution align. In a world where digital threats are growing by the day, the Kingdom has set an impressive record that others would do well to follow. Its example demonstrates that cybersecurity is not simply about technology; it is about governance, education, sovereignty, and international cooperation.
Under the leadership of the crown prince, ֱ has risen to the very top of the global cybersecurity rankings, creating a model that blends ambition with results. For countries still vulnerable to digital threats, the message is clear: the Saudi model offers a blueprint for the future, and the time to learn from it is now.
• Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is a Harvard-educated Iranian American political scientist. X: @Dr_Rafizadeh