Securing the digital future: How Huawei is tackling cybersecurity in the GCC

As the GCC countries continue to evolve into global digital hubs, the adoption of technologies such as 5G, AI, and IoT is accelerating rapidly. These advancements offer immense economic growth and innovation potential, but they also introduce new cybersecurity challenges. To explore how organizations in the Gulf region are addressing these challenges, CIO Middle East discussed with Sultan Mahmood Malik, Chief Security Officer at Huawei Gulf North, who shared insights into the latest cybersecurity trends and how Huawei is helping its clients secure these cutting-edge technologies while ensuring data privacy and regulatory compliance.

The introduction of 5G has been a game-changer for the region. Malik noted that 5G has been in the GCC for more than five years, enabling both carriers and industry customers to explore the possibilities of a truly digital world. “New technologies like AI and IoT are coming into play,” he said, underscoring how these innovations are driving transformation across sectors.

However, the increasing integration of AI and IoT into everyday operations also brings new risks, including the potential for cyberattacks on interconnected devices, data breaches, and vulnerabilities within complex networks. Securing these technologies is paramount in a region where digital infrastructure is critical to national development.

One of the key pillars of Huawei’s cybersecurity strategy is regulatory compliance, a foundation that is crucial in the GCC, where governments are implementing stricter regulations to safeguard data privacy and protect critical infrastructure. Malik emphasized that compliance is not just an add-on for Huawei but a core part of their comprehensive assurance mechanism. 

“Huawei takes pride in its compliance,” Malik explained. “We not only collaborate with industry bodies and organizations but also work closely with local entities to ensure adherence to regulations.” The company employs over 800 lawyers globally who study local laws and regulations, helping Huawei prepare technical and regulatory baselines tailored to specific regions.

As the GCC countries push ahead with digital transformation, ensuring the security of 5G, AI, and IoT ecosystems has become more complex. Malik explained that Huawei’s approach to securing these technologies is built on a robust framework that integrates security measures at every level of development and deployment. 

This includes collaboration with carriers and industry players to implement secure-by-design principles, meaning that security is embedded in products from the very beginning. Huawei also employs advanced encryption technologies, secure hardware solutions, and regular audits to maintain the highest levels of security for its clients.

“In this way, we ensure our compliance and security for new technologies,” Malik said. “5G has helped our customers to see what a digital world could be, and now, with AI and IoT, the next wave of innovation is here. But security must evolve with it.”

Looking ahead, the GCC countries will continue to play a pivotal role in the global digital landscape. But with this leadership position comes the responsibility to maintain and enhance cybersecurity resilience. Malik’s insights highlight how collaboration between technology providers, regulators, and industry stakeholders is critical to achieving this.

As 5G, AI, and IoT adoption grows in the region, companies like Huawei are at the forefront of ensuring these technologies are not only innovative but also secure and compliant. Through its strong focus on regulatory compliance and proactive security measures, Huawei is helping shape a safer digital future for the GCC.

“When society and industry become digital the landscape of the threats increases tremendously. Technology is now everywhere, not just for consumers to make calls and phones, the industry has changed, so, once industries and society are fully digitalized, privacy and data are the main concerns of all these organizations amidst this digital transformation,” he added.