Dubai – Insider threats have emerged as the primary cybersecurity concern among Middle Eastern professionals, according to a new report by Exabeam, a global leader in AI-powered security operations. The study reveals that 74% of respondents believe AI is making insider threats more effective, while 53% expect such threats to increase in the near future.
The research, titled “From Human to Hybrid: How AI and the Analytics Gap Are Fueling Insider Risk”, surveyed 1,010 cybersecurity professionals across key sectors worldwide. It found that insider risks have now overtaken external attacks as the top security priority, with AI accelerating both the scale and sophistication of these threats.
Key Findings:
- Insiders vs. External Actors: 64% of professionals view insiders—whether malicious or compromised—as a greater risk than external attackers.
- AI as a Force Multiplier: Generative AI is enabling attacks at machine speed, from spoofing trusted voices to enhancing phishing and social engineering. Two of the top three insider threat vectors are now AI-related.
- Sector Impact: Governments face the steepest rise in insider threats (73%), followed by manufacturing (60%) and healthcare (53%), due to expanding access to sensitive systems.
- Regional Differences: Asia-Pacific and Japan lead in projected insider threat growth (69%). In contrast, the Middle East shows an unusual trend, with nearly 30% anticipating a decrease in insider threats—interpreted either as confidence in defenses or a possible underestimation of evolving risks.
Steve Wilson, Chief AI and Product Officer at Exabeam, explained: “Insiders aren’t just people anymore. They’re AI agents logging in with valid credentials, spoofing trusted voices, and making moves at machine speed. The question isn’t just who has access—it’s whether you can spot when that access is being abused.”
GenAI Risks Rising
Unauthorized generative AI (GenAI) usage adds another layer of complexity. Globally, 76% of organizations reported unapproved GenAI adoption, with the Middle East ranking unauthorized AI use (31%) as its top insider concern. Sectors most impacted include technology (40%), government (38%), and financial services (32%).
Exabeam warns that the fusion of insider access and AI capabilities is creating threats that can bypass traditional security measures, calling for advanced behavioral analytics and more adaptive defenses tailored to regional realities.
