Cybersecurity leaders have warned that advances in artificial intelligence are being matched by an equally rapid escalation in cyber threats, with attackers now capable of breaching networks and extracting data within minutes. These concerns were raised at the Oman AI Security Conference in Muscat, inaugurated by Eng. Said bin Hamoud Al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology.
The conference brought together government officials, technology providers, and security experts to address the growing risks posed by AI-driven cyberattacks and emerging quantum computing threats. Speakers highlighted how attackers are increasingly leveraging AI to automate reconnaissance, exploitation, and data exfiltration at unprecedented speed.
Raed Abudayyeh of Palo Alto Networks illustrated the shift in attack timelines, noting that breaches which once took weeks are now executed in minutes. He emphasized that AI is enabling attackers to move rapidly across networks, reducing the window for detection and response.
Human capital emerged as a central theme, with Said bin Abdullah Al Mandhari, CEO of ITHCA Group, stressing that AI security depends as much on skilled and accountable professionals as on technology. He argued that national investment in local talent is essential to protecting digital sovereignty and building trust in AI systems.
Data governance was another key concern. Krishnadas KT, co-founder and CEO of Securado, warned that data fed into AI models often becomes permanent, raising serious privacy and ethical risks. He highlighted the lack of clear governance frameworks for large language models and the long-term implications for society.
Participants also discussed post-quantum threats, warning that future quantum computing capabilities could undermine existing encryption standards. Combined with autonomous, AI-powered attacks, these developments were described as an urgent challenge requiring proactive, adaptive security strategies.
Representatives from Oman’s public and private sectors outlined a phased national approach, beginning with AI risk assessments, followed by policy development, skills enhancement, and long-term adaptive cyber governance. The conference aligned with Oman Vision 2040, reinforcing the country’s focus on responsible AI adoption, ethical innovation, and resilient digital infrastructure.
