The Kingdom of Bahrain recently signaled its intent to join neighboring UAE and normalize relations with Israel. Saudi Arabia, under political pressure from the Trump administration, is reportedly contemplating formalization of existing cooperation with the Jewish state.
Implications on cyber sector.
Regional Iranian and ISIS threats in the background serve as a common threat and yields mutual interest in development and adoption of offensive and defense cyber solutions.
Various Media reports over the last two years identified an emergence of thriving cyber business between Israel and UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia. The phenomena may include additional unreported Gulf states.
Selected, current business opportunities samples:
Saudi Arabia;
- https://www.dmilt.com/product/saudi-arabia-post-corp-tender-for-outsourced-management-of-a-cybersecurity-operations-center/
- https://www.dmilt.com/product/saudi-arabia-government-agriculture-fund-tender-for-establishment-of-cyber-security-department/
Bahrain
Israel
Israel Cyber sector.
The country boasts a cyber business sector comprising over 440 firms. Forefront companies are Checkpoint, Verint, NSO, Cybereason, Cellebrite, Riskfield, Elbit, IAI, Rafael.
UAE Selected Cyber companies
Darkmatter. https://www.darkmatter.ae/ Private company with apparent linkage to the UAE government. Darkmatter formally offers cyber security solutions to government agencies and businesses. Reportedly, the company also offers offensive cyber solutions.
The largest UAE Government owned (merged Tawazun, EIAG Mubadala) defense & security group. In 2015 former EDIC acquired 100% of French Thales Advanced Solutions subsidiary.
https://edgegroup.ae/cluster/cyber-defence
IGG (Int. Golden Group). http://www.iggroup.ae/
Established 2020, H.Q in Abu Dhabi. Its services solution division has won a contract to provide UAE Government with infrastructure and measures for cyber operations center. Italian Leonardo Group is IGG ‘s partner in the project.
MVP Tech https://mvptech.ae/
In November 2017, MVP tech has established a joint business operation with Italian Leonardo Group, for development and marketing of cyber security solutions.
Emiraje Systems http://www.emiraje.ae
Private company, established 2009. Engaged in cyber defense development and marketing solutions.
Saudi Arabia Selected Cyber companies
Government owned. The firm is active in provision of electronic cyber defenses to the Royal Saudi Air Forces.
Taqnia Cyber https://taqniacyber.com/home.html
A subsidiary of Tagnia Group, Saudi Government fund owned. Engages in development and marketing of cyber security solutions.
Known international cyber firms operating in Saudi Arabia include; IronNet Cybersecurity, NSO, Raytheon, Booz Allen Hamilton, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin.
In 2018 the Saudi Government established the Prince Mohammed Bin Salman College of Cybersecurity.
Qatar; Selected companies, activities
In March 2018, local Barzan Holdings and US based Raytheon jointly won a contract to establish cyber academy for the Qatari Ministry of Defence.
Known cyber firms in Qatar engaged in the cyber sector include; Senior IT, Paramount Assurance Values, Etisaq, Blackpoint Cyber, Diyar United, ICT and others.
Danish ETI (BAe Systems) sold its Evident media monitoring solution to the Qatari Government.
Qatar University contracted French Thales to aid its IT cyber security R&D and academic activities.