The cybersecurity priorities across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region are shifting toward sovereignty and operational resilience, according to a new report by Help AG.
Help AG, the cybersecurity arm of e&, released its State of the Market Report 2026 on June 10, 2026. This sixth edition of the annual analysis highlights how geopolitical tensions and technological advancements are reshaping the regional threat environment.
Evolving Cybersecurity Priorities in the GCC
The report details a significant escalation in cyber threats. Between 2019 and 2025, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks increased by 857%, with over 371,000 attacks recorded in 2025 alone. Notably, the longest recorded DDoS campaign lasted for more than 85 consecutive days. Furthermore, attack execution speed accelerated in the first quarter of 2026, with a 65% increase in completion speed, allowing compromises to impact operations in under 40 hours.
During periods of heightened geopolitical tension in the first quarter of 2026, daily cyberattacks targeting the UAE rose from approximately 200,000 to between 500,000 and 700,000 attempts. Consequently, organizations are re-evaluating their cybersecurity priorities to address these continuous and adaptive risks.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Defense
Artificial intelligence is transforming both offensive and defensive operations. Attackers use AI to automate reconnaissance and scale phishing campaigns. Meanwhile, defensive teams deploy artificial intelligence for automated investigations and predictive response. Help AG’s security operations centers now run more than 145 automated security scenarios, reducing response times by over 50% and deploying zero-day protections within 45 minutes of identification.
Sovereignty and Post-Quantum Planning
Sovereignty has become a core design principle for digital infrastructure in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Organizations are shifting toward sovereign cloud and locally governed infrastructure to maintain control and continuity. This shift highlights how regional cybersecurity priorities now integrate regulatory compliance with long-term infrastructure ownership.
In addition to immediate threats, post-quantum security is entering strategic planning cycles. As quantum computing advances, current cryptographic standards face potential disruption. Therefore, organizations building long-term digital systems are beginning to plan for post-quantum readiness to secure future digital trust.
Strategic Market Shifts
The report identifies five structural shifts defining the regional market. These include moving from fragmented tools to integrated resilience architectures, and transitioning from reactive defense to adaptive, AI-driven operations. Additionally, the market is shifting from compliance-led programs to measurable operational resilience, from talent-centric models to automation, and from isolated national frameworks to coordinated GCC-wide alignment.
“Across the GCC, AI and sovereignty are already reshaping how digital infrastructure is designed, secured and governed. For organizations, the focus is shifting from adding more tools to building adaptive, measurable and locally aligned security capabilities that can withstand sustained pressure.”
Dr Aleksandar Valjarevic, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Help AG
“Strengthening sovereign cybersecurity capabilities is key to enabling innovation while maintaining the trust that forms the foundation of the UAE’s digital future.”
Abdulla Ebrahim Al Ahmed, Chief Government & VVIP Relations Officer at e& UAE
