Saudi citizens 'well-equipped for careers' in cybersecurity

According to a new survey commissioned by Raytheon Company and the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), adults and youths in the Middle East region are more confident in their knowledge of and education in cyber-related issues than in the rest of the world, and feel they have a good understanding of the elements involved in cybersecurity.
The survey, titled “Securing Our Future: Closing the Cyber Talent Gap,” showed that higher percentages of youths in Saudi Arabia (82 percent), the UAE (70 percent) and Qatar (84 percent) feel that they have enough understanding to keep their data and personal information safe on the Internet than the global average of 65 percent. Moreover, 53 percent of GCC respondents expressed awareness of the job tasks involved with a profession in cybersecurity — 13 percent higher than the global average.
“Saudi Arabia is a regional power, and as such, they have been right to focus on the development of cyber security and other critical IT capabilities,” said Louis P. Laroche, president of Raytheon International in Saudi Arabia. “As cyber threats continue to evolve in the region and globally, it is pivotal that these capabilities are being harnessed in the Kingdom by patriotic young people to ensure the next generation of national security.”
Sponsored by Raytheon and NCSA and conducted by the US Zogby Analytics, the survey was based on responses from nearly 4,000 young adults ages 18-26 from the GCC region, Europe, Asia Pacific and the United States.
Respondents, including 606 from the GCC region alone, answered a variety of questions about their education, backgrounds, interests and, most importantly, professional goals and perceptions.
Among the survey’s findings, the results indicate disparity between GCC citizens’ comfort with their level of education and competence in cyber, and their interest in seeking a career in cyber fields.