The cybersecurity sector in Saudi Arabia made a significant contribution to the country’s GDP in 2023, reaching SR15.6 billion. This includes both direct contributions of SR8.6 billion and indirect contributions of SR7 billion. The National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) released a report for the year 2024, showing that there were 353 providers of cybersecurity products, solutions, and services registered with the NCA by the end of 2023. This growth highlights the expanding ecosystem of cybersecurity offerings in the Kingdom.
Despite global challenges in attracting qualified cybersecurity professionals, Saudi Arabia has shown progress in this area. The report revealed that the country has 19,600 cybersecurity professionals, with women representing over 32 percent of the workforce. This exceeds the global average by 28 percent, demonstrating Saudi Arabia’s advancements in gender diversity within the cybersecurity sector.
The Saudi Arabia cybersecurity market experienced significant growth in 2023, reaching SR13.3 billion. This expansion underscores the country’s commitment to advancing cybersecurity in both the public and private sectors. Private sector expenditure accounted for SR9.3 billion, or 69 percent of the total spending, highlighting the importance of public-private collaboration in driving the cybersecurity industry forward.
The NCA report on Saudi Arabia’s cybersecurity sector showcased key economic indicators, including the sector’s size, its contribution to the GDP, the total cybersecurity workforce, and other metrics demonstrating the sector’s growth and pivotal role in advancing cybersecurity in the country. Cybersecurity products and solutions accounted for 56 percent of the market, valued at SR7.5 billion, while cybersecurity services made up the remaining 44 percent, totaling SR5.8 billion. Key offerings included network security, systems integration, endpoint security, managed security operations centers, and cloud security.
The NCA developed the report in collaboration with top consulting firms and local and international experts over a two-year period. The report utilizes a robust methodology to highlight key economic indicators in Saudi Arabia’s cybersecurity sector and classifies over 100 categories of cybersecurity products, solutions, and services in alignment with global best practices. As the national authority for cybersecurity in the Kingdom, the NCA serves as the central reference for all cybersecurity matters, working to enhance the country’s cybersecurity posture, safeguard vital interests, national security, critical infrastructure, and government services. The NCA is also dedicated to promoting sector growth, fostering innovation, and encouraging investment in cyberspace.
