Cyberattacks are on the rise, and artificial intelligence makes it easier for malicious actors to exploit individuals and businesses. Cybersecurity leaders globally are concerned about AI and the potential creation of deep fakes in cyber attacks. Moreover, AI will continue to make elements of cyber intrusion operations more effective and efficient, leading to an increase in frequency and intensity of cyber threats.

In response, CPX is launching initiatives that boost threat detection, simplify security operations, and build resilience against the constantly evolving cyber risk landscape.

According to Hadi Anwar, CEO of CPX, the cybersecurity landscape in 2025 is shaped by a convergence of AI-driven attacks, ransomware, and supply chain vulnerabilities.

 “Adversaries are rapidly exploiting emerging technologies,” he says. “Misconfigurations, which are responsible for approximately 32% of cyber incidents, further broaden the attack surface. Organizations must prioritize closing legacy gaps, promoting vigilance, and embedding resilience across their digital ecosystems.”

Anwar emphasizes that Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) face significant pressure navigating these evolving threats while balancing regulatory requirements, talent shortages, and increasing expectations from leadership for measurable risk reduction. “At CPX, we recognize the immense challenges CISOs confront daily,” he says.

He added that CPX aims to support organizations in strengthening their cybersecurity posture. “We help CISOs simplify operations, improve compliance readiness, and reduce the burden on security teams. Our focus is on mitigating risks and fostering resilience, so organizations can operate confidently and thrive even in increasingly complex threat environments,” Anwar says.

CAN CYBERSECURITY BE A SHIELD AND INNOVATION CATALYST?

The role of cybersecurity is evolving. According to Anwar, viewing cybersecurity solely as a risk mitigation tool is no longer sufficient. “While cybersecurity is often seen as a safeguard, it must also be viewed as a key innovation enabler,” Anwar adds.

He explains that AI, for example, strengthens security by enhancing threat detection, automating responses, and providing predictive insights. At the same time, it introduces new risks, including adversarial AI, deepfakes, and attackers’ misuse of generative technologies. “Balancing these opportunities and threats requires robust governance and secure integration,” Anwar says.

Amid evolving demands, organizations must fortify their technological frameworks while upholding the highest standards of ethical and regulatory compliance. “CPX partners with organizations to ensure that cybersecurity not only mitigates risk but also accelerates innovation, unlocking new business value securely,” he added.

According to Anwar, resilience today is measured by readiness, not just recovery. “As digital and physical systems converge, cyber threats now pose immediate risks to operations, brand reputation, and even national infrastructure,” he adds. 

“Resilience thus requires embedding cybersecurity into core business strategy. It’s a conscious shift from reactive defense to proactive posture, where threats are anticipated, not only managed.”

Anwar explains that CPX supports organizations in adopting forward-looking frameworks such as AI-powered threat detection, Zero Trust architectures, and integrated compliance programs. “We also champion cross-sector collaboration between government, industry, and technology leaders to foster a resilient ecosystem,” he says.

Embedding cybersecurity into all business areas and building a strong AI infrastructure are essential steps to strengthening regional security and driving innovation amid the region’s accelerating digital transformation.

THE ROLE OF GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS

Partnerships are critical to a robust cybersecurity ecosystem. The UAE has emerged as a global leader by leveraging a Public–Private–People Partnership (PPPP) model that brings together government, industry, and society to coordinate responses to evolving cyber risks.

“For CPX, purposeful partnerships go beyond transactional alliances,” Anwar says, adding that they provide alignment on “vision, values, and a shared commitment to elevate cybersecurity across the UAE and beyond.” He cites recent initiatives, including joining the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association (MISA), partnering with ISC², and acquiring AI-focused cybersecurity firm SpiderSilk. “These collaborations enable joint innovation, capability sharing, and co-delivery of bespoke solutions aligned with the region’s regulatory and threat landscape,” he added.

Anwar emphasized that integrating global technologies with local insights, alongside consulting and training services, allows CPX to empower organizations across sectors while strengthening the broader cybersecurity ecosystem.

REMOVING ROADBLOCKS

Another challenge for organizations is platform consolidation and tool fatigue. According to Anwar, combining disparate security tools into cohesive systems is complicated by legacy solutions that increase operational complexity, integration costs, and alert overload. CISOs often contend with skill gaps, inconsistent data, and vendor fragmentation.

Citing an example, Anwar explains how CPX addresses these challenges by embedding AI-driven capabilities into its managed services stack. “This unifies threat visibility and response, and, combined with strategic advisory, systems integration, and managed detection and response services, reduces redundancy and simplifies operations,” he adds. Anwar added that this approach allows CISOs to focus on proactive security rather than juggling multiple vendor interfaces.

REDUCING PRODUCT SPRAWL 

A hurdle that comes about for cyberProduct sprawl occurs when organizations accumulate multiple standalone security tools over time, often as a response to emerging threats, vendor pitches, or short-term operational needs. While each tool may address a specific gap, the cumulative effect can create significant complexity, inefficiency, and risk.

Anwar stresses that CPX mitigates product sprawl by anchoring offerings in client needs and outcomes rather than continuously developing standalone tools. “Our approach delivers end-to-end cyber and physical security across assessment, protection, operations, and incident response through modular, integrated services,” he says.

By embedding new capabilities into an existing ecosystem, CPX ensures that each solution enhances functionality without duplication. “This unified architecture reduces complexity, allows solutions to scale with evolving environments, and prevents organizations from being weighed down by fragmented technologies,” Anwar says.

RESILIENCE BY DESIGN

With AI increasingly embedded in business systems, Anwar emphasized the importance of security by design. “Security by design at CPX means embedding protection at every stage of system development, particularly as AI becomes core to operations,” Anwar says. He referenced CPX’s State of the UAE Cybersecurity Report 2025, which recommends awareness programs, regular audits, and clear asset inventories to identify hidden risks. Ultimately, organizations should prioritize proactive risk anticipation as a foundational step toward achieving cyber resilience by design.

Anwar also highlighted the need for early cybersecurity integration in operational technology systems to avoid costly retrofitting, alongside robust AI governance frameworks to ensure ethical and secure deployment. “This approach ensures AI-based systems are built with resilience, governance, and human-centric monitoring from the outset,” he added.

STRATEGIC ROADMAP AND VISION

Looking ahead, Anwar explains how CPX aims to align with the UAE’s vision to become a global cybersecurity innovation hub. “Our roadmap focuses on global expansion, integrated innovation, and client-centric growth,” he explained. Future plans include entering new markets, strengthening AI-driven defense capabilities, enhancing threat intelligence sharing, and expanding OT security expertise.

“Our role goes beyond providing cyber and physical security solutions. We are strategic partners in building resilience, working with sectors like defense, government, healthcare, and finance to create tailored, end-to-end security programs aligned with regulatory and operational requirements,” Anwar added.

Anwar emphasized that cybersecurity is misconceived as an IT issue, but true resilience requires enterprise-wide accountability. “Siloed approaches leave gaps in awareness, policies, and preparedness,” he says. “At CPX, we emphasize that cybersecurity is about people and processes, not just technology. Proactive strategies, clear communication, and shared responsibility are central to fostering trust and continuity, ensuring every individual contributes to protecting digital assets and driving long-term success.”

Blind spots are becoming more critical as threat actors grow more sophisticated and faster than traditional defenses can respond. “Misconfigurations, third-party risks, and AI-driven threats such as generative phishing and behavior mimicry compound vulnerabilities, particularly in high-value sectors like government, finance, and energy,” Anwar noted.

Closing these gaps, he explains, requires shifting from fragmented defenses to integrated cyber readiness. “Our solutions, spanning AI-powered threat detection, compliance automation, and platform consolidation, are designed to give leaders greater visibility, stronger resilience, and a clearer alignment between cybersecurity and business outcomes,” Anwar concludes.