Fortinet Annual Report: 86% of organizations worldwide face cyberattacks

SUNNYVALE, Calif. — Global cybersecurity provider Fortinet has released its 2025 Global Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report, shedding light on the new and persistent challenges organizations face due to the cybersecurity skills gap.

The global survey’s key findings include:

• As organizations are turning increasingly to AI to strengthen their security postures and fill gaps, they also acknowledge that AI may be used against them as an engine of new or improved cyberattacks, especially given the lack of AI skillsets across teams.
• Lack of cybersecurity awareness and training remains the top cause of breaches.
• Boards lack cyber knowledge, despite it being a priority.
• Organizations want cybersecurity personnel with certifications.

“This year’s survey further underscores the urgent need to invest in cybersecurity talent,” said Carl Windsor, CISO at Fortinet. “Without closing the skills gap, organizations will continue to face rising breach rates and escalating costs. The findings highlight an inflection point for both public and private sectors: without bold action to build and retain cybersecurity expertise, the risks and costs will only continue to grow for our society.”

In Saudi Arabia, digital transformation under Vision 2030 has accelerated cloud adoption, e-government services, and smart city development, making AI-driven cybersecurity capabilities critical. The Kingdom’s National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) emphasizes local talent development. However, demand still far outpaces supply.

“As Saudi Arabia accelerates its digital transformation under Vision 2030, cybersecurity has become a foundational pillar for national resilience and economic growth. The Fortinet Skills Gap Report confirms the on the ground observation that while AI is essential to enhancing cyber defense, the Kingdom must prioritize upskilling the cybersecurity workforce to fully realise its benefits. Strategic initiatives, such as the Saudi Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program and increased access to industry recognised certifications, are vital to building local capabilities. Public-private partnerships will be key to equipping local talent with the AI expertise needed to protect critical infrastructure, government services, and the broader digital economy.” said Sami Alshwairakh, Senior Regional Director Sales at Fortinet.

The full security report can be found online at www.fortinet.com.