Market Growth: Saudi Arabia's cybersecurity market expanded to SAR13.3 billion in 2023, with private sector spending contributing SAR9.3 billion, highlighting strong public-private collaboration.
Economic Contribution: The cybersecurity sector added SAR15.6 billion to the Kingdom’s GDP in 2023, with SAR8.6 billion from direct contributions and SAR7 billion from indirect contributions.
Sector Development: The report reveals 353 registered cybersecurity providers and a workforce of 19,600 professionals, with women comprising over 32%, surpassing the global average and reflecting progress in gender diversity.
Riyadh, August 26, 2024
The National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) unveiled its highly anticipated 2024 report today, offering a comprehensive overview of Saudi Arabia's burgeoning cybersecurity sector. This detailed report highlights the sector's significant growth, its contribution to the Kingdom's GDP, and other crucial economic indicators, underscoring the pivotal role that cybersecurity plays in advancing national security and technological progress.
According to the report, Saudi Arabia's cybersecurity market experienced remarkable expansion, reaching a substantial SAR13.3 billion in 2023. This impressive growth reflects the Kingdom’s steadfast commitment to strengthening cybersecurity measures across both public and private sectors. The private sector, in particular, demonstrated robust investment, accounting for SAR9.3 billion, or 69% of the total expenditure. This underscores the critical role that public-private partnerships play in driving the cybersecurity industry forward.
The report breaks down the market composition, revealing that cybersecurity products and solutions made up 56% of the SAR13.3 billion market, totaling SAR7.5 billion. Cybersecurity services, on the other hand, accounted for 44%, amounting to SAR5.8 billion. Key offerings in this segment include network security, systems integration, endpoint security, managed security operations centers, and cloud security.
In terms of economic impact, the cybersecurity sector contributed SAR15.6 billion to the Kingdom’s GDP in 2023. This figure includes SAR8.6 billion from direct contributions and SAR7 billion from indirect contributions, highlighting the sector’s extensive influence on the broader economy.
The report also notes significant growth in the number of registered providers of cybersecurity products, solutions, and services, which reached 353 by the end of 2023. This increase reflects the expanding ecosystem and the growing diversity of offerings available in the Kingdom.
In a notable achievement for gender diversity, the report highlights that Saudi Arabia's cybersecurity sector employs approximately 19,600 professionals, with women making up over 32% of the workforce. This percentage is notably higher than the global average of 25%, showcasing the Kingdom’s progress in fostering an inclusive and diverse cybersecurity field.
Developed over two years with the assistance of leading consulting firms and both local and international experts, the report employs a robust methodology to present key economic indicators. It also classifies over 100 categories of cybersecurity products, solutions, and services, aligning with global best practices.
As the central authority for cybersecurity in Saudi Arabia, the NCA continues to be a crucial reference point for all matters related to cybersecurity. Its mission remains focused on enhancing the Kingdom’s cybersecurity posture, protecting national interests, critical infrastructure, and government services. The NCA is dedicated to driving sector growth, fostering innovation, and encouraging investment in the cybersecurity domain.