issue 97

ello and welcome to

This month’ s cover story, which can be found on page 15, features Mahmoud Ahmed, Sales Director – Middle East at Okta. He tells us how AI-powered identity security and Zero Trust frameworks are helping organisations defend against increasingly sophisticated, identity-driven cyberthreats.

As attackers shift from breaking in to logging in, organisations must adopt identity-first strategies that leverage AI to detect and block suspicious behaviour in real time. Ahmed highlights that integrating legacy systems into modern identity platforms and adopting passwordless, adaptive authentication are critical to closing security gaps while maintaining user experience.

He also emphasises the growing importance of continuous compliance and AI-driven governance to automate access control and reduce risk. Looking ahead, the rise of non-human identities and AI agents will require organisations to extend identity security controls across both human and machine users. Ultimately, CISOs must embrace defensive AI to counter AI-driven attacks and build resilient, future-ready cybersecurity strategies.

Elsewhere, we learn how the 2026 SANS | GIAC Cybersecurity Workforce Research Report reveals that the industry’ s biggest challenge is no longer a shortage of staff, but a critical lack of skills within existing teams.

As AI reshapes the landscape, entry-level roles are being automated while demand grows for advanced AI and governance specialists, creating a widening capability gap. Regulatory pressure has surged dramatically, driving widespread hiring changes and the creation of new specialist roles.

This skills deficit is already causing measurable impacts, including security breaches, delayed projects and increased burnout among overstretched teams. Limited time, budget constraints and unclear career progression are further hindering efforts to upskill the workforce.

Ultimately, the report highlights the urgent need for organisations to prioritise continuous learning, structured career paths and AI governance to build a resilient cybersecurity talent pipeline.

You can read more starting on page 24.

Don’ t forget, you can stay informed with daily news updates on our website, where we bring you the latest insights and developments from the world of business technology. I’ d like to wish you a productive and successful month ahead. Please enjoy this issue and take your time to explore the articles we have prepared for you. See you next time.

Mark Bowen Editorial Director

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