Middle East Enterprises Strengthen Cybersecurity with Human-centric SOC Strategies
A growing number of organisations across the Middle East are investing in Security Operations Centres (SOCs) as part of a broader effort to strengthen cyber resilience, according to a recent report by Kaspersky.
The study reveals that 48 per cent of companies in the region are either building or planning to establish SOCs, underlining the strategic importance of centralised security monitoring and incident response in an increasingly complex threat landscape.
Organisations increasingly recognise that skilled analysts remain essential for interpreting alerts, investigating incidents and making informed decisions in real time.
Rather than relying solely on technology, the report highlights a clear shift towards human expertise as a critical pillar of effective cybersecurity operations. While advanced tools such as threat intelligence platforms, automation and AI-driven analytics play an important role, organisations increasingly recognise that skilled analysts remain essential for interpreting alerts, investigating incidents and making informed decisions in real time.
The findings reflect the region’s accelerating digital transformation, driven by cloud adoption, smart infrastructure projects and the expansion of connected services across government and private sectors. As digital footprints grow, so does exposure to sophisticated cyber threats, prompting organisations to move from reactive security models to proactive, intelligence-led approaches.
Kaspersky’s research also points to challenges that organisations face when building SOC capabilities, including a shortage of qualified cybersecurity professionals and the need for continuous training. In response, many companies are prioritising upskilling existing staff, combining internal teams with managed security services, and adopting frameworks that balance automation with expert oversight.
For Middle East enterprises, SOCs are increasingly seen not just as technical hubs, but as strategic assets that support business continuity, regulatory compliance and trust. By placing human expertise at the centre of their cybersecurity strategies, organisations aim to improve detection accuracy, reduce response times and better manage evolving cyber risks in a highly dynamic digital environment.
