From September 16 to 19, cybersecurity experts from Positive Technologies hosted intensive workshops in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates, aimed at enhancing cyber defenses in the financial sector. These sessions were tailored for cybersecurity department managers in banks, financial institutions, and other security professionals like analysts and architects.
The workshops provided participants with advanced knowledge on the evolving landscape of cyber threats and vulnerabilities specific to the banking systems in the region, emphasizing effective strategies to mitigate data breaches and financial losses.
A study by Positive Technologies highlighted that financial organizations were among the top three most targeted sectors globally in 2023. Additionally, their research indicated that 13% of all discussions on dark web forums related to the financial sector in Gulf countries from early 2023 to mid-2024. The financial sector’s data is highly prized by cybercriminals for the access it provides to personal user information. Notably, banks and public sectors in the region have seen increased targeting by hacktivist groups.
Further analysis found that 40% of data purchase requests on these dark web forums were for financial institution databases, demonstrating the high demand for such data among cybercriminals.
Evgeniya Popova, Director of International Business Development at Positive Technologies, remarked on the company’s readiness to combat these threats. “With global tensions escalating, we’ve seen a rise in sophisticated cyberattacks, especially in Russia. We’re committed to sharing our extensive expertise with Gulf counterparts, equipping them with cutting-edge cybersecurity tools to enhance their defenses against these evolving threats,” she stated.
The workshops served to deepen local experts’ understanding of cybersecurity challenges and provided practical training on the latest hacker methods and defenses. This initiative is part of Positive Technologies’ mission to safeguard industries worldwide from cyber threats, leveraging their vast array of security solutions and services. As a testament to their commitment and industry leadership, Positive Technologies is publicly traded on the Moscow Exchange and continues to expand its impact globally.
