Cyberani and Thales sign strategic partnership to strengthen Saudi Arabia's cybersecurity
Cyberani, a Saudi Aramco company and national champion in cyber security, has signed a strategic alliance with Thales, Europe's largest technology group, to meet the cyber security needs of private and public companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The strategic partnership, which was signed at LEAP 2024, by Mr. Saeed Al Saeed, CEO of Cyberani, and Mr. Pierre-Yves Jolivet, VP Cyber Digital Solutions, at Thales, aligns with the Kingdom's Vision 2030, emphasising the importance of cybersecurity and digital infrastructure in building a diversified and sustainable economy.
The signing was witnessed by Ahmad O. Al-Khowaiter, Executive Vice President of Technology and Innovation at Aramco, Tareq Amin, CEO of Aramco Digital, Dr. Wael Kanoun, General Manager of Cyber Defence Solutions at Thales in KSA and the Middle East, and Bernard Roux, CEO of Thales in KSA. The Cyberani-Thales partnership will act as a catalyst for the local economy and reinforce the development of Saudi Arabia's digital and industrial capabilities, contributing to the Kingdom's sovereignty objectives.
Aware of the growing intensity of global cyber threats and increasingly complex regulatory and compliance requirements, Cyberani and Thales will join forces to address the cybersecurity market in the Kingdom, with a common target of $350 million in revenues to be achieved between 2024 and 2030.
After completing the acquisition of Imperva, and with more than 5,800 cybersecurity experts in 68 countries, Thales is forecasting $2.4 billion in revenue from cybersecurity by 2024.
By selecting Thales as a preferred partner, Cyberani will leverage the technology company's expertise to protect critical information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) infrastructures and operations for its customers in the Kingdom.
The Cyberani-Thales alliance will provide best-in-class cyber security solutions to organisations in the country, focusing on critical sectors such as energy, utilities, aviation, transportation, space, finance and even smart cities.
Thales will also support Cyberani by providing cybersecurity services for Aramco and its subsidiaries abroad, specifically outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
"We are delighted and proud to sign this unique partnership. This is a groundbreaking effort that will significantly influence the trajectory of cybersecurity and resilience advancement in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia today. Through this partnership, Cyberani will provide best-in-class cyber security solutions to Saudi Arabian organisations. Leveraging this partnership with Thales, and the Aramco ecosystem as a whole, Cyberani will be the leading and benchmark OT cybersecurity provider in the Kingdom," said Saeed Al Saeed.
"Investment in digital infrastructure is critical to achieving Vision 2030's overarching goal of a diversified, digital, resilient and knowledge-based economy. We are excited about the partnership with Cyberani and the opportunities and capabilities that our combined DNA will bring to the Saudi market. We are committed to strengthening the nation's defence against cyber threats, safeguarding critical infrastructure and advancing digital resilience for a secure and prosperous future. With an active presence in the Kingdom for more than 50 years, at Thales, our priority remains building a future we can all trust," said Pierre-Yves Jolivet, Vice President Cyber Digital Solutions at Thales.