How the Middle East can build resilience against AI-enabled threats

Governments must invest in adaptive AI cyber training for security teams.

The Middle East must adopt a proactive, intelligence-driven approach to cybersecurity as it increasingly becomes a focal point of more sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI)-related cyber threats, according to Kearney.

For consulting firm Kearney, governments must invest in adaptive AI cyber training for security teams by investing in AI-driven training simulations that automatically adjust to each participant's skills, knowledge gaps, and the latest cyberattack techniques.

These adaptive simulations can identify weaknesses in trainees’ responses to specific types of attacks and offer targeted practice by using machine learning.

Governments must also deploy ethical AI “red teams” for constant system testing. “To uncover vulnerabilities in government systems, leaders should support the establishment of AI-powered simulations designed to probe defences constantly,” Kearney said.

These systems would act as persistent, adaptive attackers, using advanced methods such as social engineering simulations, deepfake testing, and endpoint vulnerability analysis to expose weak spots.

Moreover, they must create an AI incident response hub with cross-sector specialists staffed with cybersecurity experts, data scientists, policy advisors, and critical infrastructure specialists.

“Equipped with a centralised incident dashboard, it would allow leaders to assess impacts and coordinate immediate countermeasures, ensuring that response efforts are swift, data-informed, and comprehensive,” Kearney added.

Governments must fund AI research programs focused on detecting and mitigating deepfake content by allocating funding to research and developing advanced AI tools specifically designed to detect deepfake content.

“Public-private partnerships with tech companies, universities, and media organisations could expedite the development and deployment of these tools,” the consultancy firm said.

Further, governments must build a cross-governmental AI ethics and security oversight committee responsible for setting and enforcing ethical standards for AI applications within the government.

Lastly, they must adopt a national “security by design” policy for critical systems. “Under such policy, all government-led and government-funded projects would be required to undergo rigorous security evaluations at every stage,” Kearney said.