Saudi Arabia’s push toward Vision 2030 is positioning enterprise networks as a critical enabler of economic diversification and technological leadership. According to Cisco, smart networks are no longer just communications tools but the backbone of innovation, boosting efficiency and enabling advanced technologies such as AI.
Tarek Al-Turki, Director of Solutions Engineering at Cisco Saudi Arabia, told Asharq Al-Awsat that 73% of leading IT firms in the Kingdom reported major outages in the past two years due to congestion, cyberattacks, and errors. To counter this, 94% have increased network budgets, focusing on secure, resilient, and smarter infrastructures that reduce losses and ensure continuity.
Networks for the AI Era
With the rise of agent-based AI, networks face unprecedented demands for speed, scale, and security. Cisco is developing AI-driven networking tools and collaborating with Nvidia to create infrastructures capable of supporting billions of AI agents globally without compromising safety.
Local vs. Cloud Infrastructure
Cisco’s research shows that 67% of Saudi data centers fall short of AI requirements, driving 90% of tech leaders to expand capacity through local or cloud solutions. Al-Turki emphasized that automation, network intelligence, and centralized control are key to overcoming fragmentation, envisioning “a single dashboard that lets you see and manage everything.”
Automation, Cybersecurity, and Sustainability
Cisco reports that 97% of Saudi IT leaders expect automation to significantly boost efficiency and reduce human error. With 91% of companies facing cyber incidents last year, AI-powered security solutions are being rapidly deployed. Cisco contributes with tools such as AI Defense and a local security data center. At the same time, sustainability is becoming essential, with Cisco Silicon One chips delivering both performance and energy efficiency.
Building Resilience and Partnerships
Nearly all Saudi business leaders — 98% — view secure networks as essential for growth. Cisco stresses zero-trust frameworks, automated threat detection, and continuous training to safeguard critical sectors like healthcare, energy, and finance. Since 2016, its Country Digital Acceleration program has launched over 20 national projects, from broadband expansion to AI ecosystem development.
“Networks today do more than support business. They lead it, driving growth, resilience, and innovation,” Al-Turki said, underlining Cisco’s role in Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation.
