The threat landscape continues to evolve rapidly and has become more sophisticated in both scale and speed. With the advent of AI, attacks are now surpassing human capacity to respond effectively. “We simply don’t have enough skilled professionals or cybersecurity engineers to address these evolving threats,” Tariq Halwani, Executive Director, Enterprise Solutions, Microsoft UAE, told Khaleej Times on the sidelines of Gisec Global.
Excerpts from an interview:
What are the main issues facing the Mena cybersecurity market today?
The threat landscape continues to evolve rapidly and has become more sophisticated in both scale and speed. Attackers are now leveraging advanced AI tools, which are quickly surpassing human capacity to respond effectively. The complexity and scale of cyberattacks are increasing, and a significant challenge in the Mena region remains the cybersecurity skill gap. We simply don’t have enough skilled professionals or cybersecurity engineers to address these evolving threats. What we knew three to four years ago is no longer relevant—today’s cyber defense ecosystem is driven by AI, which requires us to reskill and upskill even our existing engineers. These are critical challenges that remain top priorities for the region.
How do you see the cybersecurity market in the region evolving over the next one to two years?
I believe we’ll see a significant shift toward AI-driven security, with autonomous agents playing a critical role in organizational cybersecurity. These agents will increasingly handle tasks that traditionally required human intervention, thus boosting both speed and efficiency. The evolution toward agentic AI cybersecurity models will redefine how defense operations are structured and executed.
With Windows 11 expected to launch later this year, how will it enhance AI security features?
Security continues to be an integral part of our design philosophy, and Windows 11 is no exception. It will be built around our holistic Zero Trust Architecture. Security starts at the design phase, and Windows 11 will come with robust built-in security features. The new OS will include a more comprehensive security stack, including Microsoft Defender, Sentinel, and XDR, all integrated to provide end-to-end protection from the ground up.
Tariq Halwani, Executive Director, Enterprise Solutions, Microsoft UAE
What specific products and services are you showcasing this year?
This year, we’re putting a spotlight on AI agents and the broader cyber defence arsenal. Last year, we launched Microsoft Security Copilot, the first AI companion for cybersecurity professionals, designed to enhance their threat intelligence and response capabilities. Building on that, we’re now introducing autonomous agents that play a central role in our cyber defense strategy. These AI-powered agents are integrated into our systems to deliver scalable and rapid response capabilities that go beyond what humans alone can achieve. We’re showcasing six AI agents developed by Microsoft, each focused on a specific area—ranging from threat detection and response to investigation, recovery, analysis, and continuous learning. Together, they represent what modern AI-driven cyber defense looks like.
Microsoft is already a major partner of the UAE government. Are you looking to expand these partnerships further?
Yes, absolutely. We are continuing to expand our collaboration with key government entities. We work closely with the UAE Cyber Security Council and national regulators. One of our core initiatives is sharing threat intelligence platforms with the country. The UAE is a regional leader in adopting advanced cybersecurity technologies, including AI. We do have a few major announcements lined up, possibly later today or tomorrow, specifically regarding the integration of AI and autonomous agents in national cyber defense strategies.
