28 Sep G4S Saudi Arabia Business World Security Report
Large companies in Saudi Arabia expect low levels of security threats next year and to increase their usage of cutting-edge technology, cementing the country’s position as one of the best countries in the region to do business.
That’s according to the first-ever World Security Report published by G4S. 1,775 Chief Security Officers (CSOs) in 30 countries at large, global companies with total revenue of more than $20 trillion, took part in the research. 235 CSOs were surveyed in the Middle East from UAE, KSA, Egypt, and Jordan.
On external security threats, CSOs expect to have the lowest regional rates for intrusion and competitor sabotage at 11% and 13% respectively. Fewer CSOs say fraud and theft of company physical property are genuine external threats for the coming year than the regional and global averages at 17% and 16%.
Last year, Saudi Arabia experienced lower levels of external threats relating to vandalism, trespass and Distributed Denial of Service (DDos) attacks compared with the global average.
Companies also experienced the lowest number of security incidents involving violent criminals across the Middle East last year at 19% whereas the regional average was 26%. They had fewer incidents involving petty criminals too at 22% compared with the global average at 36%.
Next year, Saudi Arabia plans to increase its use of cutting-edge and emerging technology – defined as Artificial Intelligence, facial recognition and machine learning – from 22% to 40%.
In particular, it appears to be embracing the use of AI. Saudi Arabia is the second highest country in the region behind Jordan to say it will adopt AI-powered surveillance and monitoring systems at 46%.
With new innovations on the way, Saudi Arabia is on track to meet its Saudi Vision 2030 Goals.